Flu Cases Hit Record High in New York With 71,123 Reported in Single Week as Officials Urge Vaccination

ALBANY, NY (December 31, 2025) — New York recorded 71,123 flu cases in the week ending Dec. 20, marking the highest single-week total since states were first required to report influenza cases in 2004.

The figure represents a 38% increase in cases compared with the previous week, while hospitalization admissions rose 63%.

The New York State Department of Health announced the record on Dec. 26, stating the state is experiencing the highest number of flu cases ever recorded in a single week.

Westchester County health officials highlighted the surge on their flu information page, noting: “Flu is here. Reduce your risk: wash hands, consider masking, and get your flu vaccine.”

Each year in the U.S., more than 200,000 people are hospitalized with flu complications. People most at risk for complications from the flu include pregnant women, adults age 50 and older, children under the age of five and their caregivers, residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, and anyone who has certain underlying medical conditions.

The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone six months of age and older, according to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Flu shots are especially recommended for pregnant women, children age five and under, people age 50 and older, people with certain chronic medical conditions, people who live in nursing homes and long-term care facilities, and health care workers or others who care for those at high risk for flu complications.

While the flu shot is a good idea for most people, individuals should check with their health care provider first, especially if they have a severe allergy to chicken eggs, have had a severe reaction to a flu vaccine, or have developed Guillain-Barre syndrome within six weeks of getting a flu vaccine. Anyone with a moderate to severe illness with a fever should wait until they have recovered to get vaccinated.

Flu shots are available for a fee from many area pharmacists, medical offices and neighborhood health centers. Residents should check with their health care provider or a local pharmacy chain. Local neighborhood health centers include:

In the South Shore area of Westchester County:

• Sun River Health New Rochelle, 14 Lawton Street, New Rochelle, NY 10801. For an appointment call: (855) 681-8700.
• Open Door Care Network Mamaroneck, 689 Mamaroneck Avenue, Mamaroneck, NY 10543. Phone: (914) 732-0233.
• Open Door Care Network Port Chester, 5 Grace Church Street, Port Chester, NY 10573. Phone: (914) 937-8899.

Be sure to call ahead to find out if they have vaccine in stock.

To help prevent the spread of the flu, follow the Four “C”s:

• Contact: Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, keep your distance from others to prevent them from getting sick. Equally important is avoiding contact with your eyes, nose and mouth since the virus spreads by entering the mucous membranes in these areas.
• Contain: If you are sick, stay home from work, school and public areas. If you had a fever, stay home until 24 hours after your fever subsides to avoid spreading your germs.
• Cover: To prevent spreading the flu, cough or sneeze into your elbow or cover your nose and mouth with a tissue. Since you may be contagious even before you realize you are sick, it is important to make this habit routine.
• Clean: Clean your hands in warm soapy water often. Hand washing is one of the most effective, yet overlooked ways of preventing the spread of illness. Also, be sure to clean surfaces you touch frequently, such as doorknobs, water faucets, refrigerator handles and telephones.

Additional resources include the New York State Department of Health Respiratory Surveillance Reports, In-Season Estimates for Respiratory Viruses from the CDC, and information on flu for children, adolescents, child-care providers and schools.

This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.