New York State Department of Health Urges New Yorkers to Protect Themselves From Respiratory Illness Ahead of the Holidays

Vaccines Are Available to Protect Against Influenza, COVID and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

Find Flu and COVID Vaccines at Your Local Pharmacy or Health Care Provider

RSV Information Available Here

ALBANY, N.Y. (December 9, 2025) – The New York State Department of Health wishes everyone a safe and healthy holiday season, with a reminder that vaccines are available to protect against influenza (flu), COVID and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), ahead of holiday gatherings and travel.

"We expect a more severe flu season due to circulating strains of the virus compared to last year. To protect yourself and loved ones against COVID, influenza and RSV, we strongly encourage you to take action for your health and get vaccinated ahead of the holidays," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "Gathering with loved ones is what this season is all about. Vaccines ensure we have the best protection."

In November, the Department launched the new Respiratory Surveillance Report offering a more comprehensive view of respiratory illness trends statewide.

A chart illustrating statewide influenza, COVID and RSV hospitalization trends for the current season is available here.

Flu

Last week, Commissioner McDonald declared flu prevalent across New York.

The Department's most recent data, through November 29, shows a total of 32,769 flu cases across 62 counties in New York have been reported this season to date (starting the first week of October).

In the past week, lab-confirmed flu cases are up 80 percent, rising from 8,077 cases in the previous week to 14,506. Hospitalizations due to flu climbed by 93 percent, up from 413 in the previous week to 798 across the State.

As of November 17, 2025, 3.4 million flu vaccines were reported statewide compared to 3.5 million during the same time in 2024, representing a 5.3-percent decrease.

Those aged 65 years and older, people with certain chronic medical conditions, young children, infants and pregnant people are at higher risk of developing serious complications from the flu, which could require hospitalization and result in death.

During the 2024-2025 influenza season, New York State reported 27 pediatric influenza-associated deaths, the most the Department has ever recorded in a single flu season. Each year, flu places a large burden on the health and well-being of children and families, and vaccination remains the best protection against serious illness. The Department strongly recommends everyone ages 6 months and older get a seasonal flu vaccine which is readily available at pharmacies and health care providers across the state.

The Department's Flu Tracker provides timely information about local, regional and statewide influenza activity. For those who get the flu, antiviral medications, such as Tamiflu, can be prescribed by health care providers and can reduce the length and severity of the illness.

More information about the flu is available here, including fact sheets and other downloadable materials.

COVID

COVID continues to cause significant illness across the state, and if historical trends hold, there will likely be a spike in COVID activity this winter. In the week ending November 29, there were 1,948 cases of COVID reported to the Department, and 333 individuals were hospitalized with COVID.

Last month, The New York State Department of Health urged New Yorkers, especially older adults, to get the updated COVID vaccine as reported vaccination uptake in 2025 is significantly lower than this time last year. According to Department data, approximately 1.3 million doses have been administered statewide since August 29. During the same period in 2024, approximately 1.6 million doses were administered, representing a decrease in doses administered by 30 percent compared to this time last year. Among adults aged 65 and older, who face the highest risk of severe illness and death from COVID, doses administered decreased nearly 25 percent when compared to levels during the same period in 2024.

Individuals who have symptoms should test for COVID, and those who test positive should contact their health care provider about possible treatments, which have been shown to be effective at reducing the chances of serious outcomes. More information on treatment options can be found here.

Governor Hochul has extended an executive order allowing pharmacists to continue administering COVID vaccines to provide timely and convenient access. New Yorkers as young as 3 can go directly to most pharmacies and get their shot. Children under 3 can receive COVID vaccines from their health care provider.

In response to federal efforts to restrict COVID vaccine access, the Department, in partnership with the Northeast Public Health Collaborative, provided detailed COVID vaccine guidance to ensure New Yorkers have access to science-based immunization recommendations.

More information about COVID vaccines is available here

RSV

Respiratory syncitial virus (RSV) typically reaches its peak in December and January and disproportionately impacts the very young and the old. This year, cases are still rising in the state. There were 2,200 cases reported for the week ending November 29, with 256 hospitalized. The vast majority of cases and hospitalizations this year for RSV have been in the 0-4 age group.

A vaccine is available for RSV for older adults and for people who are pregnant. It's important for New Yorkers who are 75 years and older to get vaccinated. Those who are 60 to 74 years of age should talk with their health care providers to see if the RSV vaccine is right for them. Only one dose of RSV vaccine is needed.

People who are pregnant can protect their infant from RSV by getting a maternal vaccine. Pregnant people should contact their obstetrician/gynecologist for more information. In addition, there are now two immunizations available for newborns and young infants called nirsevamab and clesrovimab. They are made up of long-acting antibodies against RSV that are protective. Newborns can get nirsevamab or clesrovimab in the hospital after birth. Other infants who are younger than 8 months and those who are 8 to 19 months of age and have certain medical conditions are eligible and can get either in the doctor's office; talk to a pediatrician or health care provider. More information on RSV can be found here. For infants born 14 days or more after their mother received the RSV vaccine, additional antibodies are not needed.

Getting Vaccinated

It's safe, effective and convenient to get all three vaccines at the same time in the same appointment.

Information about vaccine efficacy and safety can be found here.