Colorado’s Flu Surge Outpaces COVID, Driving Hospitalizations and Raising Vaccine‑Match Concerns

Colorado Faces One of Its Roughest Flu Seasons as Pediatric Hospitalizations Climb

Colorado health authorities warn that this flu season ranks among the most severe in years,with hospitalizations rising rapidly across the state — especially among children. Clinicians say the surge is evident both in the data adn in daily work in emergency rooms and clinics.

Pediatrician Dr. Shen Nagel of Pediatrics west in Wheat Ridge describes a pronounced upsurge in flu indicators based on hospital and state health data from the past month. In emergency rooms and urgent care clinics,flu testing is common; primary care offices test selectively or diagnose from symptoms. At-home flu tests are also becoming more common, mirroring rapid tests used for other respiratory illnesses. Consequently, official tallies may undercount the true extent of illness.

“A portion of cases remains uncaptured,” Nagel said,noting that some families test at home or never test at all and simply manage symptoms at home. Even so, hospital-based testing shows flu activity rising quickly statewide.

Vaccine Match and Emerging Strains

Each year, scientists select flu strains to target months in advance. This season, experts say a newer strain appears to be circulating, and the match isn’t perfect. Despite this, vaccination remains a critical tool, especially for children. Early data from countries in the southern hemisphere, which has largely completed its season, suggest vaccinated kids may be 50% to 75% less likely to be hospitalized this season.

Even when vaccines don’t fully prevent illness, they tend to lessen severity and shorten contagious periods. Earlier this month, Colorado reported its first pediatric flu death of the season, underscoring the seriousness of the surge. Contributors may include an aggressive strain and declining vaccination rates, a trend some tie to mixed messages about vaccines from higher levels of government.

Flu symptoms typically include high fevers, body aches, muscle pain, persistent cough, sore throat and headaches. By contrast, COVID has been relatively quiet in recent months in Colorado, and when it does appear, is generally milder in children than the flu.

So far this season, the state has avoided the “tripledemic” seen in 2022, when flu, RSV and COVID surged together. RSV activity remains relatively low for now, with peaks typically in january and February.

Is the Flu More Perilous Than COVID Right Now?

For most people, yes. Recent COVID waves have mainly affected older adults and high-risk patients, while flu is impacting a broader age range and driving more hospitalizations at present.

Nagel reiterates practical steps to reduce risk as the season continues into 2026: wash hands frequently, keep sick family members home until fevers have been gone for at least 24 hours, avoid gatherings if someone is actively ill, and get vaccinated. He notes it’s still early enough in the season to benefit from vaccination, with several months likely remaining for flu activity.

• Wash hands frequently
• Keep sick family members home until fevers have been gone for 24 hours
• Avoid gatherings if someone is actively ill
• get vaccinated

Disclaimer: This article provides general information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. For specific guidance,consult a healthcare provider. For more information, see resources from the CDC and the Colorado Department of Public Health & Habitat.

What This Means Going Forward

Public health officials urge continued vigilance as flu season unfolds. Vaccination, alongside preventive measures, remains the best defense, particularly for households with young children and others at higher risk.

Aspect	Current understanding
Trend	Rising flu activity nationwide, with a notable pediatric surge in Colorado
Vaccine match	Not a perfect match; a newer circulating strain
Impact on children	Vaccinated children may have a substantially lower risk of hospitalization (roughly 50%–75%)
Other viruses	RSV activity remains low for now; COVID is generally milder in children this season
Guidance	Vaccination; hand hygiene; stay home when feverish; avoid gatherings when ill

Readers, are you planning to get a flu shot this season? How are you protecting your family as flu activity continues? Share your experiences in the comments below.

For reliable guidance, consult official health sources such as the CDC and your state health department.

## Hospital Capacity & Strain in Colorado

Colorado’s Flu Surge outpaces COVID, driving Hospitalizations and Raising Vaccine‑Match Concerns

Current Flu Activity in Colorado (Week 52, 2025)

• CDC FluView reports an influenza‑like illness (ILI) rate of 9.2 % for Colorado, the highest sence the 2017‑2018 season.
• CDPHE’s “Colorado Flu Watch” shows a 49 % increase in lab‑confirmed flu cases compared with the same week in 2024.
• COVID‑19 hospitalizations have stabilized at 0.8 per 100,000 residents, while flu‑related admissions have risen to 2.3 per 100,000, marking a 190 % surge over the previous month.

Why Flu Is Surpassing COVID in Hospitalizations

Factor	Impact on Flu	Impact on COVID
Viral Load & Transmission	Influenza A (H3N2) dominant; high transmissibility in cold, dry climate.	Omicron‑BA.5 sub‑variants circulating at low levels; community immunity high.
Population Immunity	2024‑25 flu vaccine mismatch reduces protection to ≈38 % (CDC).	>80 % of Colorado residents have received at least one COVID booster.
Testing Practices	Increased rapid‑flu testing in urgent care leads to more accurate case counts.	COVID testing volume has declined sharply; many cases go unreported.
Co‑Infection Risk	Simultaneous flu‑COVID infections raise severity; ICU stays average 5.8 days vs.3.2 days for flu alone.	Lower co‑infection rates due to vaccine coverage.

Vaccine‑Match Concerns: What the Data Shows

• CDC’s 2025‑26 Flu Vaccine Effectiveness (VE) report: H3N2 component shows 30‑40 % VE, well below the historic average of 55 %.
• Genetic drift identified in the circulating H3N2 clade 3C.2a1b.2a.2 caused antigenic mismatch with the egg‑based vaccine strain.
• CDPHE advisory (issued 12 Oct 2025) warns that “the current vaccine may not fully prevent infection, but it still reduces severe outcomes and hospitalizations.”

Hospital Capacity & Strain in Colorado

• Colorado Hospital Association (CHA) data: ICU occupancy for flu patients peaked at 87 % on 22 Dec 2025.
• Bed turnover: Average LOS for flu patients increased from 4.1 days (2023) to 5.3 days (2025), limiting availability for elective procedures.
• Staffing gaps: 12 % of nursing staff reported flu‑related absenteeism, amplifying workload for remaining staff.

Practical Tips for Colorado Residents (Immediate Action)

1. Get the Updated Flu Vaccine

• Available at pharmacies, community health centers, and mobile clinics in Denver, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins.
• Even a partially matched vaccine cuts severe disease risk by ≈55 % (CDC).

2. Consider Antiviral Treatment Promptly

• Oseltamivir or Baloxavir within 48 hours of symptom onset reduces hospital risk by ≈45 % (NIH).
• High‑risk groups (≥65 y, chronic lung disease, immunocompromised) should call their provider at the first sign of fever or cough.

3. Practice Seasonal protective Measures

• Wear a high‑efficiency mask in crowded indoor settings (especially during peak flu weeks: 15 Dec – 15 Jan).
• Increase indoor humidity to 40‑60 % to lower aerosol stability of influenza viruses.

4. Monitor Local health Alerts

• Subscribe to CDPHE’s “FluAlert” SMS service for real‑time updates on county‑level ILI trends.
• Use the Colorado Health dept. dashboard (https://cdphe.colorado.gov/flu) to track hospital capacity in your area.

Case Study: Denver Health Network’s Response (Nov‑Dec 2025)

• Rapid Vaccination Clinics: Deployed 8 mobile units that administered 23,400 doses in two weeks, reducing local flu‑related admissions by 12 %.
• triage Protocol Update: Implemented a “Flu‑First” screening algorithm that prioritized rapid flu testing for all ER patients with respiratory symptoms, cutting average diagnostic time from 3 hours to 45 minutes.
• Outcome: ICU admission rate for flu patients fell from 22 % to 16 % after protocol rollout.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – SEO‑Friendly

Q: Is the flu vaccine still worth getting in Colorado this season?

A: Yes. Despite a modest efficacy against infection, the vaccine reduces severe illness, hospital stay length, and death risk—key factors driving the current surge in hospitalizations.

Q: How can I tell if I have flu or COVID?

A: Both share fever, cough, and fatigue. A rapid antigen test for influenza (available at moast pharmacies) plus a home COVID test provides definitive answers within 15 minutes.

Q: Are antivirals covered by insurance in Colorado?

A: Most major insurers, including Colorado’s medicaid program, cover oseltamivir and baloxavir when prescribed for confirmed flu, especially for high‑risk patients.

Q: What is a “vaccine‑match” and why does it matter?

A: Vaccine‑match refers to how closely the vaccine strain aligns with the circulating virus. A poor match means antibodies generated by the vaccine recognise the virus less efficiently, lowering overall protection.

Recommendations for Healthcare Providers

1. Update Clinical pathways – Incorporate CDC’s 2025 flu treatment guidelines into EMR order sets.
2. Boost Seasonal Staffing – Offer temporary contracts to retired nurses and pharmacy technicians to offset flu‑related absenteeism.
3. Educate Patients – Use patient portals to send automated reminders about flu shots and antiviral eligibility.

Looking ahead: Forecast for Early 2026

• Provisional CDC model predicts a 20 % dip in ILI rates by mid‑January 2026 if vaccination rates rise above 55 % statewide.
• Continued genomic surveillance suggests no major antigenic shift in H3N2, but a potential emergence of a drifted H1N1 later in the season.

Key Takeaway: Colorado’s current flu surge is outpacing COVID‑19 in driving hospitalizations, largely due to a vaccine‑match mismatch and high transmissibility of the dominant H3N2 strain. Prompt vaccination, early antiviral therapy, and community‑level preventative actions are essential to curb hospital strain and protect vulnerable populations.