Is NYC Experiencing the Worst Flu Season in 2026?
As of mid-January 2026, New York City is dealing with what could arguably be described as one of its most difficult flu seasons in recent history. The city is seeing record-breaking hospitalization figures and overall case counts that have already exceeded past levels.
If you think more people have been missing work due to sickness and/or your local pharmacy has run out of cold medication, then you're correct – this flu season is hitting harder than it did last year.
Record-Breaking Flu Numbers Show the Extent of the Problem
Flu season statistics show a very disturbing trend. Through early January 2026, New York City has seen over 128,000 confirmed flu cases for the season so far, and more than 50% of those cases are among children under 18 years old (NYC Health Department). For comparison, New York State had a record-breaking 4,546 hospitalizations related to the flu for the week ending December 27. That number was 24% higher than the previous week (New York State Department of Health).
There were more than 32,000 positive flu cases in New York City for the week ending December 20, 2025. While there has been some decline in the number of new flu cases recently (approximately 8,000 lab-reported cases for the week ending January 10), health officials are warning that this number remains extremely high and the season is still far from over (NYC Health Department).
Why This Year Was Different Than Other Years
A variety of reasons make this year different than other years. The dominant strain of the virus currently circulating in New York City is Influenza a H3N2, specifically the subclade K, which represents approximately 90% of the current cases. It appears that this strain of the virus is producing more severe symptoms and complications than the typical seasonal flu viruses, resulting in higher hospitalization and emergency room visit rates.
Emergency rooms tell part of the story. Emergency room visits for flu-related issues peaked at 8% in late December; however, this number has since dropped to 5% (NYC Health Department). Peak flu-related hospitalizations represented 4.5% of all hospital admissions at the time; this figure dropped to 3.5% in early January (NYC Health Department).
The reason why this year is particularly unique is because it followed a similarly severe flu season in 2024-2025. Back-to-back severe flu seasons are rare, and experts acknowledge that flu patterns are inherently unpredictable. The current season has exceeded the metrics of the 2024-2025 season in nearly every area, including hospitalization rates and percent positivity.
Low Vaccination Rates Remain a Concern
Most worrisome is the low vaccination rate. The CDC reports that less than 43% of adults and children received a flu vaccination in 2025. Given the record-breaking statistics of last year (i.e., 289 children nationwide died from flu during the 2024-2025 season and 89% of children eligible for the flu vaccine had not received a flu vaccine), this low vaccination rate is particularly troubling (NYC Health Department).
Preliminary results from the U.K. indicate that this year's flu vaccine is greater than 70% effective at preventing hospitalization among children and adolescents. Health officials continue to encourage people to receive their vaccinations, as flu season typically runs through early May.
What You Can Do to Protect Yourself
Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald emphasizes two things to do to protect yourself: get vaccinated and treat symptoms early with antiviral medications, which can greatly decrease both the length and severity of the illness, if they are taken within the first 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.
The NYC Health Department encourages all New Yorkers aged six months and older to receive the flu vaccine. There are additional ways to prevent the transmission of the flu beyond receiving the flu vaccine. Some of the best methods include frequent hand washing with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds, staying home from work/school if you are feeling ill, and wearing a mask in crowded areas indoors during the peak flu season. Cleaning and maintaining a clean home environment also help to reduce the transmission of the flu.
Many New Yorkers are utilizing professional cleaning companies such as Sparkly Maid NYC to clean high touch areas in homes and offices, and to sanitize common areas, especially during peak flu season when preventing the transmission of the flu is paramount.
Looking to the Future
Although the recent decline in cases provides some optimism, health officials are concerned that January is typically the peak month for the flu season, and therefore, it is possible that the city may not have avoided the worst of the flu season yet. Hospitals and emergency rooms throughout the city are already functioning at or above full capacity, and hospitals are continuing to admit large numbers of flu patients in the coming weeks.
The Bottom Line
Yes, NYC is going through one of its worst flu seasons on record. However, by taking the right steps to protect yourself (vaccination, good hygiene, treating symptoms early), you can dramatically lower your risk of developing severe flu symptoms. Approximately 1,500 to 2,000 New Yorkers die each year from seasonal flu and related complications, such as pneumonia (NYC Health Department). This year's numbers provide a stark reminder that the flu is much more than just an inconvenient illness — it is a serious public health issue deserving of attention and a proactive response. Whether it is receiving a flu vaccination, practicing good hygiene habits, or having a reputable company such as Sparkly Maid NYC come into your home and clean and disinfect all surfaces in your home, every action you take will help to protect you and your community during this challenging flu season.
Sources:
NBC New York. "New York Just Had Its Worst Week of Flu Hospitalizations, ever." NBC New York, 3 Jan. 2026
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. "NYC Health Department Releases New Data Showing More Than 136,000 Flu Cases This Respiratory Virus Season." NYC Health, 15 Jan. 2026,
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. "NYC Health Department Releases New Respiratory Virus Data Amid Difficult Flu Season." NYC Health, 8 Jan. 2026,
New York State Department of Health. "New York State Department of Health Confirms Highest Number of Flu Hospitalizations in a Week." New York State Department of Health, 2 Jan. 2026,
TODAY. "Is the New Flu Variant Causing More Severe Symptoms? Doctors Reveal What They're Seeing." TODAY.com, 13 Jan. 2026
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