New York’s flu season is off to a roaring start, with lab‑confirmed infections soaring to four times the level recorded at the same point last year.
Key points
- Flu infections in New York are already four times higher than the same point last year.
- Vaccination rates are well below the CDC’s recommendation, with only about one‑in‑five eligible residents vaccinated.
- Health officials attribute part of the low uptake to misinformation spreading on social media.
- The flu vaccine requires about two weeks to confer protection, making early vaccination critical before the Thanksgiving holiday.
The state’s Seasonal Respiratory Virus Dashboard shows more than 10,800 lab‑confirmed flu cases to date, a four‑fold increase over the 2,657 cases reported through the same week in 2025, according to New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald.
Weekly data for the week ending Oct. 24 reveal 4,172 new cases, compared with 910 in the corresponding week a year earlier, and the year‑to‑date total now stands at 10,842 versus 2,657 in 2025. Nassau County has logged 1,034 cases and Suffolk County 735, with over 4,000 of the statewide cases occurring in children under 17.
Case numbers jump early in the season
Despite the surge, vaccination coverage remains low. Dr. McDonald said fewer than half of New York adults received a flu shot last year, and only about 18 % of eligible residents have been vaccinated so far this season—19 % in Nassau and 16 % in Suffolk.
The health commissioner warned that the early rise in cases could lead to more illness, emphasizing that the vaccine takes roughly two weeks to become effective and should be administered at least three weeks before Thanksgiving gatherings.
Vaccination coverage remains under half of adults
Officials also highlighted the role of misinformation on social media, noting a growing hesitancy that is reflected in online debates and requests for pediatricians who “won’t push vaccines.” Dr. McDonald stressed that last year’s flu season resulted in more than 27,000 hospitalizations and 600 deaths in New York, including 15 children, underscoring the importance of science‑based information.
Reader questions
Why is the flu season starting earlier than usual in New York?
State health officials say the early rise in lab‑confirmed cases suggests the virus is circulating sooner, and early spread typically leads to more people getting sick.
How long does it take for the flu vaccine to become effective?
According to Dr. James McDonald, it takes roughly two weeks for the vaccine to take effect, so getting vaccinated at least three weeks before large gatherings is advised.
What are the current flu vaccination rates in New York’s counties?
About 19 % of eligible residents in Nassau County and 16 % in Suffolk County have received the flu shot this season, compared with fewer than half of all adults statewide last year.
Source: newsday.com
