The U.S. faces its deadliest flu season in 15 years, with low vaccination rates fueling severe illness and death. Experts warn misinformation and policy failures are making the crisis worse.
The United States is in the grip of its worst flu season in 15 years, with more than 29 million cases, 370,000 hospitalizations, and 16,000 deaths reported so far, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Despite the alarming numbers, flu vaccination rates have plummeted, leaving vulnerable populations—children, elderly individuals, and those with chronic conditions—at an even greater risk of severe illness and death.
At a Feb. 28 briefing hosted by Ethnic Media Services, leading medical experts warned that misinformation, vaccine fatigue, and policy decisions are exacerbating the crisis, creating what some are calling a “silent epidemic.”
Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, noted that early projections did not anticipate such a severe season.
“When we were meeting with the California Department of Public Health in the late fall, the projections from the CDC suggested this would be an average season,” he said. “But we’ve seen much more flu and less COVID than expected. The primary driver? Lower vaccination rates.”
Among children, flu vaccination rates have dropped from 58% in 2020 to the mid-40s this season. A similar decline is seen in older adults, where rates have fallen from 52% to 43%. Dr. Chin-Hong emphasized that the consequences have been dire.
“We’ve had about 86 pediatric flu deaths in the U.S. this year alone, and we’re not even two-thirds of the way through flu season,” he said. “People think flu is just a bad cold, but the reality is it can hit you like a truck.”
The dominant flu strains circulating—H3N2 and H1N1—are known for causing more severe disease, especially in older adults and young children. Compounding the issue is vaccine hesitancy, which has grown in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Benjamin Neuman, Professor of Biology at Texas A&M University, pointed out that vaccine skepticism has become a major barrier to public health efforts.
“A virus’s success is determined by how many chinks there are in our vaccination armor,” he said. “If too many people opt out, the virus finds more hosts, spreads further, and ultimately leads to more hospitalizations and deaths.”
Additionally, experts fear that federal policy changes are making matters worse. The FDA’s recent decision to cancel its annual flu vaccine advisory meeting raises concerns about future vaccine efficacy.
“We should be looking at the data, analyzing what worked and what didn’t,” said Dr. Daniel Turner-Lloveras, CEO of The Latino Health Innovation Alliance. “Instead, we’re canceling critical meetings that guide public health decisions. It’s not just poor timing—it’s dangerous policy.”
Beyond vaccine hesitancy, immigration policies and anti-vaccine rhetoric are creating additional barriers to care. Many undocumented individuals, especially within Latino and immigrant communities, are avoiding hospitals and clinics due to fear of deportation.
Dr. Turner-Lloveras highlighted a disturbing trend: 22% of undocumented individuals are skipping necessary healthcare due to immigration concerns.
“When families fear that stepping into a hospital could lead to an ICE encounter, they delay care,” he said. “That’s why we see flu cases turning into pneumonia, and why we’re losing lives that could have been saved.”
Despite the challenges, experts stress that there is still time to act. Flu season typically extends into April or even May, and getting vaccinated now can still provide protection.
Dr. Chin-Hong reinforced the importance of flu shots, even late in the season:
“People might say, ‘Isn’t it too late?’ But it’s not. Flu vaccines protect against multiple strains, and we often see a late-season shift to flu B. Getting vaccinated now could still prevent a serious illness.”
Dr. Turner-Lloveras also called for better access to vaccines, particularly in workplaces, schools, grocery stores, and community centers, to ensure marginalized communities are protected.
“Public health isn’t just about medicine,” he said. “It’s about who we choose to protect. And right now, we need to choose to protect everyone.”
