Flu Surveillance Data for Providers
The graph below shows the influenza positivity rates per CDC disease week during the most recent influenza seasons for San Francisco and California.
The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) produces this dashboard to provide up-to-date information about local influenza positivity trends in San Francisco. Clinical providers may choose to consult these local influenza positivity data, their clinical lab influenza surveillance data, and local COVID-19 positivity data to inform clinical decision-making about influenza testing and empiric antiviral treatment for influenza while influenza and COVID-19 are co-circulating. Weekly surveillance data represent preliminary data and are subject to change.
Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) each produce weekly influenza surveillance reports. These reports are available at:
- CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm
- CDPH: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/Influenza.aspx
The flu season typically occurs during the period from November through April; however, the exact timing of flu activity varies from year to year. Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older. Although it is optimal to administer the flu vaccine before the end of October, if your patient has not yet received their flu vaccine, it is still important to administer it for as long as flu season continues. Flu vaccination is of particular importance this year to prevent co-occurrence of flu and SARS-CoV-2 infection and to preserve health facility capacity during surges of COVID-19.