Answering Reader Questions on Flu, COVID-19, and RSV Rates Using Latest Cdc/mmwr Reports

CDC and MMWR Data Indicate Rising U.S. Respiratory Illness Trends and Low Adult Vaccination Coverage

Recent CDC and MMWR surveillance shows respiratory illness activity rising nationally this fall. Influenza, COVID-19 and RSV are co-circulating. The activity links to more emergency department visits and hospitalizations, with adults aged 75 years and older experiencing the highest rates across all three viruses. [1][3] Adult vaccination coverage for the 2024-2025 season reached 21.1 percent for the updated COVID-19 vaccine and 37.1 percent for influenza among those 18 and older as of mid-October. RSV coverage stood at 15.6 percent among adults 60 and older. [1][3] These figures fall below targets and reveal ongoing gaps by race, ethnicity, income and geography.

What are the latest trends in respiratory illness-associated hospitalizations and emergency department visits among U.S. adults?

Respiratory illness activity increased nationally. The latest figures show elevated influenza-like illness and more COVID-19-associated emergency department visits. [1] Adults aged 75 years and older recorded the highest hospitalization rates for COVID-19, influenza and RSV. [1] Networks tracking immunocompetent adults supplied the data from September 2024 into early 2025.

RSV hospitalization surveillance from the prior season offers additional context for adults 60 and older. That group accounted for much of the severe burden. [3]

What are current adult vaccination coverage levels for influenza, COVID-19, and RSV according to CDC data?

Updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine coverage stood at 21.1 percent among adults 18 and older as of October 12, 2024. [1] Influenza vaccination coverage reached 37.1 percent in the same age group by mid-October. [1] RSV vaccination coverage measured 15.6 percent among adults 60 and older based on 2023-2024 season data. [3]

Separate reports on health care personnel revealed higher uptake in that group for influenza and COVID-19 vaccines during the 2023-24 season. [2] Overall adult coverage stayed below national targets.

Which demographic groups exhibit lower respiratory vaccine uptake and what factors contribute?

Non-Hispanic White adults and those with higher incomes showed higher vaccination uptake than other groups. Coverage varied by race, ethnicity, insurance status and urban or rural residence. National immunization surveys and health care network data documented these patterns.

The gaps appeared consistent across influenza, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines. Several minority groups and adults without ready access to care recorded lower rates.

How do 2024–25 season vaccination patterns compare with prior seasons?

Adult coverage for the updated COVID-19 vaccine remained below levels seen in many previous seasons at this stage. Influenza uptake followed a comparable slow start. RSV vaccine uptake among older adults stayed below rates observed for other adult immunizations. [3]

Health care personnel reached higher coverage than the general adult population in the 2023-24 season for both influenza and COVID-19 vaccines. [2] Adult numbers continued to lag pediatric coverage.

What this means

The data show co-circulation of influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and RSV tied to greater health care use this fall. Adults 75 and older bore the largest hospitalization burden. Uptake varied by age, with higher rates among those 65 and older, yet overall coverage stayed well below targets. Gaps linked to race, income and geography appeared across the reports.

Adult vaccination coverage levels for 2024-2025 season per CDC data.

Key takeaways

• Influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and RSV co-circulate and connect to increased emergency visits and hospitalizations this fall. [1]
• Updated COVID-19 vaccine coverage reached 21.1 percent among adults 18 and older as of mid-October 2024, while influenza coverage stood at 37.1 percent. [1]
• RSV vaccination coverage measured 15.6 percent among adults 60 and older. [3]
• Adults 75 years and older experienced the highest hospitalization rates for all three viruses. [1]
• Disparities persisted, with lower uptake among certain racial and ethnic groups, lower-income adults and people in specific geographic settings. [2][3]

Limitations

Vaccination coverage estimates rely on self-reported survey data and are subject to recall and selection bias. Hospitalization and ED data have reporting lags of 1-2 weeks and may be revised as additional records arrive. Current MMWR analyses focus primarily on immunocompetent adults. Effectiveness data in immunocompromised populations require separate evaluation. Trends reflect U.S.-specific patterns and cannot be directly extrapolated to other countries.