Washington sees unusually early rise in flu cases, health officials urge vaccination
Influenza-related emergency room visits in Washington state have jumped sharply since late August, prompting experts to recommend getting vaccinated now rather than waiting until the traditional fall schedule.
Emergency department visits for influenza in Washington state have increased sharply since late August, according to Public Health Seattle & King County data. For the week ending September 19, 2026, 233 patients were treated for confirmed flu, compared with 31 during the same week in 2025.
Dr. Helen Chu, a professor of infectious diseases at the University of Washington, said the timing is earlier than the typical December-January peak. She advised residents to consider receiving flu vaccines now rather than waiting until the usual pre-Halloween window.
"I would actually change that this year because of the fact that flu is circulating so early, and recommend that people actually get their flu vaccines now," Dr. Chu said.
New vaccine options this season include an mRNA-based influenza shot and a take-home nasal mist formulation. Dr. Chu also warned that the early surge could be followed by additional waves of flu or COVID-19 later in the year.
"Sometimes what we see with flu is that if there's one large wave, we don't see a later wave. But this one is so early that I'm wondering if we're going to see a second wave of flu, perhaps a different variant that comes later in the season," she noted.
The discussion also touched on broader vaccine policy challenges, with Dr. Chu indicating that the dissolution of the national advisory committee on immunization has left a gap in coordinated guidance.
"I think the overall confusion that is being created about the safety of vaccines, about whether or not they're going to be recommended or paid for or available, is making it harder for people to make decisions," she said.