Early flu season spreads as officials urge vaccines
Flu cases are climbing ahead of schedule in several regions, with health agencies pressing residents to get shots. Colorado confirmed a child's flu death, the first of the season.
By Standard Topic. AI-generated from the reporting listed under Coverage. Published . Updated .
This story is no longer being updated. It reflects reporting up to .
What happened
Flu activity has arrived earlier than usual in parts of the United States, including Washington state, Central California, Dane County in Wisconsin and Colorado. Health officials across these areas are urging residents to get vaccinated, and Colorado's health department has confirmed the first pediatric influenza-associated death of the 2026-27 season.
Why it matters
Six adults have died in King County, Washington, in this wave, and that number is expected to rise as deaths are investigated. Epic Research data shows flu rates are off to their earliest start since the pandemic.
Timeline
- Oct 15, 3:37 PM ET: Six adults in King County, Washington, had died in the early flu wave, with more deaths expected to be counted.
- Oct 15, 7:48 PM ET: Epic Research data showed flu rates were off to their earliest start since the pandemic, and flu activity began rising in Central California.
- Oct 16, 9:29 AM ET: The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment urged residents to get the flu vaccine after a child died from influenza.
- Oct 16, 12:55 PM ET: Colorado's health department confirmed the first child flu death of the season in the state.
Coverage
- Flu Activity Is Rising Earlier Than Usual—Here’s What To Know And How To Stay Protected (Yahoo News)
- Public Health Madison & Dane County urges flu shots as cases rise earlier than expected (wkow.com)
- Flu activity begins rising in Central California as health officials urge vaccination (Danyelle Burke North)
- The flu is already in Washington state. Experts say, get your shot, ‘like right now’ (Eilís O'Neill)
- Northern Nevada health officials track an early start to flu season (mynews4.com)
- Rising flu activity prompts vaccination calls in Colorado and Michigan
- Butte County Public Health urges residents to get flu shots
- Colorado child flu death prompts early vaccination push as cases rise
- Colorado confirms child flu death as early season prompts vaccine push
- Health leaders in several states urge flu and virus vaccines
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