NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
AND MENTAL HYGIENE

Michelle Morse, MD, MPH

Acting Commissioner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
January 8, 2026

 

NYC HEALTH DEPARTMENT RELEASES NEW RESPIRATORY VIRUS DATA AMID DIFFICULT FLU SEASON, FEDERAL CHANGES TO CHILDHOOD VACCINATION SCHEDULE

 

Over 128,000 Flu Cases Have Been Reported in New York City This Flu Season, 54% Among Children Under 18, as RFK Jr. Weakens Vaccine Recommendations

 

In December, the NYC Health Department Recorded the Highest Number of Flu Cases in a Single Week Since 2005

 

While Recently Reported Flu Cases Declined in New York City, the NYC Health Department Warns That Flu Season Isn’t Over: Get Vaccinated, Stay Home if Sick, Wear a Mask, and Wash Your Hands

 

VIDEO: Watch the Health Department’s most recent media brief on this flu season here

 

NEW YORK – Today, the New York City Health Department released new data on respiratory virus season as New York City is seeing a high number of lab-reported flu cases amid recent federal changes to the childhood vaccination schedule. For the week ending December 20, 2025, more than 32,000 positive flu cases were reported in New York City. This was the most the Health Department has seen reported in a single week since 2005, when full-year data first became available. New data shows a two-week decline in flu cases as we entered the new year, but the Health Department is warning New Yorkers that flu season is far from over. There is still time to get vaccinated, and New Yorkers should follow additional recommendations to protect themselves and their loved ones.  

 

To date this season, there have been over 128,000 positive flu cases reported in New York City. Over half of that number, 54%, have been children under 18. For the week ending January 3, 2026, there were more than 12,000 laboratory-reported flu cases, marking a notable decline from the previous week. Among last week’s new cases, 30% were children under 18 years. Approximately 5% of emergency room visits were flu-related, which is down from 8% in the prior week. The proportion of hospitalizations related to the flu decreased from 4.5% to 3.5%, compared with the previous week. 

 

Among other respiratory viruses, the proportion of emergency room visits and hospital admissions for RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) remain elevated, particularly among those aged 0-4, while COVID-19 activity remains relatively low and stable for now. The Health Department will continue to update this preliminary data as new information is received. The Health Department’s Respiratory Illness Data Page  will be updated next on January 15, with data through the week ending January 10.  

 

Last year’s flu season (2024-2025) was record-setting for pediatric flu deaths. Of the 288 children nationwide who passed away from flu and were eligible to get a flu shot, 89% had not been vaccinated.  

 

Preliminary research from the United Kingdom found that this year’s flu vaccine was more than 70% effective at keeping children and adolescents out of the hospital.  

 

Stay Safe 

While a recent decrease in reported flu cases is good news, the NYC Health Department is reminding New Yorkers that flu season is far from over, and cases could rise in the coming weeks. The department is urging New Yorkers to remain vigilant and continue taking precautions to stay healthy and safe.  

COVID-19, flu, and RSV can cause serious illness and make you sick for days or even weeks. Each year, about 1,500 to 2,000 New Yorkers die of seasonal flu and pneumonia, which can develop as a complication of any of these three viruses. More than 900 people died from COVID-19 in New York City in 2024. If you or someone in your household is sick, take precautions, such as: 

 

• Get vaccinated. 

• Wear a mask. 

• Wash your hands often. 

• Cover your coughs and sneezes. 

• Frequently clean touched surfaces. 

• Stay home when sick. 

 

The Health Department recommends all New Yorkers 6 months and older get this season’s flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Adults 75 and older, and those ages 50 –74 with certain chronic conditions or other risk factors, should also get an RSV vaccine if they have not done so before. To protect the youngest New Yorkers, pregnant people should get the RSV vaccine during pregnancy, or their newborn should get an RSV monoclonal antibody. 

 

Ask your health provider if they are offering vaccinations. Vaccines are available from hundreds of providers around the city, including pharmacies. Find a COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccine near you by using the NYC Health Map. No-cost options are available for people who are uninsured. To assess your eligibility for enrollment in health insurance, call 311. 

 

The Health Department’s Respiratory Illness Data Page posts data on COVID-19, flu, and RSV trends across the city, updated every Thursday.