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'We're not out of the woods yet': NYC flu season continues
By
Caroline Lewis
Published Jan 8, 2026
Modified Jan 9, 2026
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Virojt Changyencham/Getty Images
By
Caroline Lewis
Published Jan 8, 2026
Modified Jan 9, 2026
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New York City health officials urged ongoing vigilance against the flu Thursday, including flu shots for kids and adults.
More than 128,000 flu cases have been confirmed in New York City so far this season, including a record-breaking 32,000 during one week in December, city data shows. The number of new cases then started to decline, with 12,000 confirmed citywide during the week ending Jan. 3, according to the latest city data.
Statewide, 28,554 flu cases were recorded the week of Jan. 3, a 43% drop from the previous week, while hospitalizations fell 7%, according to the latest data.
“We’re not out of the woods yet,” Morse said, adding that flu season can be unpredictable and could extend into May.
But the city’s renewed call for vaccination against the flu comes after the Trump administration made changes to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s childhood vaccination schedule this week that deprioritized flu shots and some other vaccines.
Some vaccines that were previously recommended for all children are now recommended by the CDC only for high-risk children or those whose parents have engaged in “shared clinical decision-making” with their doctors.
State health officials have said the changes will not affect New York’s school vaccination requirements and have directed health care providers to continue their existing immunization practices.
The flu shot is currently only required for children in day care and pre-K in New York, but Morse said Thursday everyone should get it.
“It's not too late for New Yorkers to receive their flu vaccine,” Morse said. “While the current flu strain has developed mutations, the currently available, updated flu shot has still been shown to prevent serious complications and hospitalizations.”
Hospitalizations for the flu reached a record high in New York in late December, when more than 4,500 New Yorkers were hospitalized with the virus, state data shows. Two children have reportedly died from the flu this season, according to the state report. During last year’s season, 27 children died from the flu in New York.
The CDC’s new recommendation that only certain children should get the flu vaccine “could have deadly consequences nationwide,” Morse said. “We reject that guidance.”
Federal officials have cited waning public confidence in vaccines and the practices of other countries in the decision to change childhood vaccine guidance, and have said the affected vaccines must still be covered by insurance.
But some public health experts worry the move will be counterproductive.
“At a time when parents, pediatricians and the public are looking for clear guidance and accurate information, this ill-considered decision will sow further chaos and confusion and erode confidence in immunizations” Andrew Racine, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said in a statement Monday.
This story was updated with additional data from public health officials.
Tagged
Health and Science
flu
health
new york city
Caroline Lewis
Caroline Lewis is on the health care beat for WNYC and Gothamist. She has covered COVID, a nurses' strike, the overdose crisis and New York’s marijuana legalization effort, and spent a year investigating patients' medical bills. She always wants to hear about how everyday New Yorkers experience the health system. Got a tip? Email [email protected].
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