The U.S. flu season has officially ended, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting that flu-like illnesses have dropped below the threshold for an active flu season for the third consecutive week. This season, which began in October, was characterized as moderate, with an estimated 34 million illnesses, 380,000 hospitalizations, and 24,000 deaths attributed to the flu. Additionally, 148 children lost their lives to the virus.
Despite the high numbers, the impact of the flu was considered modest, with most illnesses linked to a milder flu strain that was well matched to the seasonal flu vaccines. Preliminary data indicated that the vaccines were around 40% effective in preventing severe flu cases among adults.
