US influenza statistics by flu season

US Influenza Statistics by Flu Season

The US Influenza Statistics by Flu Season refers to the annual data collected and analyzed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to monitor the impact of the influenza virus on the population of the United States. This data includes the number of people infected, hospitalized, and deceased due to the virus, as well as the effectiveness of the flu vaccine for each flu season.

Overview[edit | edit source]

The flu season in the United States typically begins in the fall and peaks in the winter months. The CDC collects data from state health departments, hospitals, and laboratories to track the spread and impact of the influenza virus. This data is used to inform public health interventions, improve vaccine effectiveness, and guide policy decisions.

Data Collection[edit | edit source]

The CDC uses multiple surveillance systems to collect data on influenza. These include the U.S. World Health Organization (WHO) and National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) collaborating laboratories, the U.S. Outpatient Influenza-like Illness Surveillance Network (ILINet), and the Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network (FluSurv-NET).

Flu Season Statistics[edit | edit source]

Each flu season is unique in terms of the timing, severity, and length of the season, as well as the specific influenza viruses circulating. The CDC provides weekly updates during the flu season and a summary report at the end of each season. These reports include information on the number of influenza cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, as well as the effectiveness of the flu vaccine.

Vaccine Effectiveness[edit | edit source]

The effectiveness of the flu vaccine varies each season depending on the match between the viruses included in the vaccine and the viruses circulating in the community. The CDC conducts studies each year to determine the vaccine’s effectiveness.