Flu test positivity rates at The Christ Hospital are running six times above normal for early October, and the peak could hit Hamilton County two months ahead of schedule.

Dr. Thomas Lamarre, medical director of infectious diseases for The Christ Hospital Health Network, told WLWT that more than 150 people were hospitalized statewide over a recent two-week stretch. Seven or eight of those hospitalizations were in Hamilton County in the most recent week alone, with several patients admitted to the ICU.

"Unfortunately, flu has arrived earlier than usual this year," Lamarre said.

Flu season usually peaks in January or February. Lamarre said this year it could peak as early as November. He urged residents to get vaccinated before Halloween because the shot takes about two weeks to build full protection.

New vaccine targets last season's dominant strain

This year's flu vaccine has been completely reformulated to better match H3N2, the strain that dominated the 2024–2025 season. Lamarre said last season's vaccine was not a good match for that strain, though it still reduced hospitalizations by about 40%. Early data on the new formula look promising, he said.

The 2024–2025 season was severe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 51 million flu-related illnesses, 710,000 hospitalizations and 45,000 deaths nationwide. The CDC classified it as the first high-severity season since 2017–2018.

Children were hit hard. The CDC reported 290 pediatric flu deaths for the 2024–2025 season as of Feb. 14, 2026, the highest number since the 2009 H1N1 pandemic and the highest ever for a regular flu season since that type of reporting began. The agency estimates the actual toll at 790 pediatric deaths.

Vaccination still prevented significant harm. The CDC estimates shots prevented 10 million illnesses, 180,000 hospitalizations and 12,000 deaths during the 2024–2025 season.

Vaccine fatigue a concern locally

Shanna Wentz, a CVS pharmacist and district leader in the Cincinnati-Dayton region, told Axios she is seeing "vaccine fatigue," including people who assume last year's shot still protects them. Flu vaccines are updated each year to match circulating strains.

Dr. Steve Feagins, medical director at Hamilton County Public Health, said in September that flu and COVID vaccines can safely be given on the same day, according to WVXU.

Flu shots are recommended for nearly everyone 6 months and older and are available at most pharmacies, usually at no cost with insurance. Lamarre said vaccine rates remain below where health officials want them.