Flu season has severely impacted Central Florida, with a notable increase in confirmed cases and a concerning decline in vaccination rates. Medical facilities across the state report an active flu season, with Dr. Ariel Mejia, an internal medicine specialist and medical director at the UCF Health Faculty Physician Practice, stating, “I’m seeing it daily versus maybe a case here or there last season.”
In December alone, Orlando Health reported approximately 4,500 confirmed flu cases across its facilities, marking a roughly 20% increase compared to the previous year. While the number of flu cases nationwide has begun to decline in recent weeks, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Florida remains one of 36 states experiencing “high activity.” Recent outbreaks have been reported in Orange and Seminole counties, as noted by the Florida Department of Health.
The CDC estimates that this flu season, which commenced in the fall, has resulted in 18 million illnesses, 230,000 hospitalizations, and 9,300 deaths nationwide. Factors contributing to the rise in cases in Florida include increased tourism, colder weather, a more virulent strain of the virus, and notably lower vaccination rates.
Vaccination rates in Florida have seen a downturn in recent years. In the 2024-25 flu season, only about 37% of children aged six months to 17 received the flu vaccine, a decline from 46% in the previous season. Adults in Florida fared even worse, with only 33.5% reporting vaccination, placing the state 47th out of 50 in the United States, as per America’s Health Rankings. The national average for adult vaccinations stood at 41.3%.
Dr. Tim Hendrix, chief medical officer at AdventHealth Centra Care, emphasized that the lower vaccination rates explain the spike in flu cases. His facilities have recorded around 1,500 flu cases per week this season, up from an average of 1,200 last year. Dr. Daniel Egan, an infectious disease physician at Orlando Health, highlighted the dual challenges posed by the flu virus this season. “The strain that we’re seeing this season is heavy, and we also have a heavy population with a lot of travel right now,” he said.
One concerning aspect of the current flu season is the emergence of the Subclade K strain, also known as H3N2. This mutated strain was identified after the formulation of this year’s flu vaccine, resulting in it being less effective against these cases. Experts stress that, despite this limitation, receiving the vaccine remains the best preventive measure.
The Florida Department of Health also encourages residents to get vaccinated, emphasizing that while the current vaccine may be less effective against the K strain, it still provides protection against other circulating strains.
To reduce the risk of infection, health officials recommend adhering to basic hygiene practices, including frequent hand washing, vaccination, and social distancing. Dr. Hendrix advises, “Take care of your immune system and your immune system will help protect you during this year, but the best thing to protect you, above and beyond a healthy lifestyle, is the vaccine.”
While the current flu vaccine may not offer robust protection against the K strain, it can still assist in combating other strains of the virus. HCA Florida Osceola Hospital recently posted on social media, noting the rising flu cases in Florida and reminding the public that “it’s not too late to get a flu shot.”
If symptoms such as fever, dizziness, or cough worsen, medical professionals recommend seeking further assistance. Those with existing health conditions, including asthma, diabetes, and heart disease, should prioritize testing and vaccination. As Dr. Mejia stated, “It becomes a community’s problem when no particular individual is taking care of themselves.”