Influenza activity continues to grow in all states except Hawaii, and based on the latest Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, the flu season may not have peaked yet, according to an article on the CNN website.
There were 11,965 laboratory-confirmed flu-related hospitalizations reported from October 1 to January 20. But the number of people infected with influenza could be much higher because not everyone goes to their doctor.
Over the past 15 flu seasons, the current season is the first time all states in the entire continental US have reported widespread flu activity during the same week, according to the CDC.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order allowing pharmacists to administer flu shots to children between the ages of 2 and 16. In addition, insurers have been asked to waive pre-authorization requirements for antiviral medications within the first 48 hours of illness.