November 6, 2024- Walgreens has launched the 2024-2025 Walgreens Flu Index, an online, interactive tool that tracks weekly flu activity based on flu-related prescription data across the company’s community pharmacy locations nationwide. For 11 years, the Walgreens Flu Index has provided an early and accurate view of disease trends. Historical data from the Walgreens Flu Index shows that southern states tend to see earlier and steeper peaks in flu activity when compared to the rest of the country.
Even though early data shows lower initial activity, a seasonal spike is predicted to be around the corner. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu and updated COVID-19 vaccine. During the 2023–2024 season, respiratory illness activity began to increase in early November and peaked in late December, though flu remained at elevated levels in the U.S.
through February. The U.S. also saw surges of COVID-19 and RSV during this time, according to Walgreens.