California pediatric flu hospitalizations reach rare seasonal highs, raising concerns for families as vaccination rates among children fall
California hospitals are reporting a sharp rise in pediatric flu hospitalizations during the 2025–2026 influenza season, mirroring a national trend that federal health officials say is unusually severe for children at this stage of winter.
According to data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on January 9, pediatric hospitalizations linked to influenza have reached one of the highest levels seen in the past 15 years for early January. Nationwide, more than 14,000 flu-related hospitalizations were reported by the first week of the year, a 44% increase from the previous week. At least 17 pediatric deaths have been confirmed so far.
While the CDC does not release state-by-state hospitalization totals in real time, California pediatricians and hospital systems report sustained pressure on emergency departments, particularly in Southern California and the Central Valley, where respiratory virus activity remains elevated.
Children under five years old are being hit especially hard. CDC surveillance shows hospitalization rates of 46 per 100,000 children in this age group, rising to 73.7 per 100,000 among infants under one year old—levels surpassed only by adults over 65. Health officials note that more than 80% of children hospitalized for flu this season were not vaccinated.
That trend has raised concerns among California public health leaders, as childhood flu vaccination rates have dropped to their lowest level since at least 2019. As of late December, only 42.5% of U.S. children had received a flu shot, according to CDC data.
The decline comes amid confusion following a recent update by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which removed influenza vaccination from the federal list of “recommended” childhood immunizations. While the CDC continues to state that flu vaccines are available for everyone six months and older, the change has prompted questions from parents and school communities nationwide.
Despite the policy shift, the CDC maintains that flu vaccination remains an effective tool for reducing severe illness. Studies published by the agency show that vaccination reduced the risk of life-threatening influenza complications in children by up to 75%, and cut pediatric hospitalizations by more than 40% in prior seasons.
What California Parents Can Do Now
With flu activity expected to continue for several weeks, California health officials emphasize practical steps families can still take:
Parents are encouraged to check their child’s vaccination status, especially for infants, toddlers, and school-age children. Flu vaccines remain widely available across California through pediatric offices, pharmacies, community clinics, and county health departments.
Doctors urge families to seek medical care promptly if a child develops high or persistent fever, breathing difficulties, severe fatigue, dehydration, or flu symptoms that improve and then suddenly worsen.
Infants under one year old and children with asthma or other chronic conditions face the highest risks. Public health experts recommend limiting exposure to crowded indoor settings when possible, practicing frequent handwashing, and keeping sick children home from school or daycare.
Reliable, California-specific guidance is available through the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and local county health agencies, which continue to monitor flu trends statewide.
CDC data show that influenza seasons often extend into late winter or early spring. Health officials stress that it is not too late to vaccinate, and that prevention and early care remain key to reducing hospitalizations and protecting children during an intense flu season.
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