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2025-2026 Respiratory Illness
Season Update
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
DPH Clinical Advisory (3/23/26)
Guidance on Extending the Administration of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Monoclonal Antibody to Eligible Infants During the Current RSV Season Through April 30, 2026
On March 23, 2026, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) issued a clinical advisory advising that, in response to ongoing RSV activity across the state and throughout the region, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) monoclonal antibody immunizations continue to be administered to eligible infants through April 30, 2026.
Click here to read a DPH news release about the clinical advisory.
Influenza
DPH's Weekly Flu Update for the week ending March 13 reported that seasonal influenza activity remained elevated nationally but was decreasing in most areas of the country. Influenza A activity continued to decrease and trends in influenza B activity varied by Health and Human Services (HHS) region.
Fourteen (14) influenza-associated pediatric deaths occurring during the 2025-2026 season were reported to CDC during the week ending March 13, 2026, bringing the season total to 115 reported influenza-associated pediatric deaths. Among children who were eligible for influenza vaccination and with known vaccination status, approximately 85% of reported pediatric deaths this season have occurred in children who were not fully vaccinated against influenza.
CDC's in-season severity assessment framework classified the season as moderate across all ages. CDC also assesses severity by three age groups: pediatric (0-17 years), adult (18-64 years), and older adults (≥65 years). At this point in the season, the pediatric age group is classified as having high severity, while both the adult and older adult age groups are classified as having moderate severity. These assessments are conducted each week during the season, and the season's severity assessment can change if activity should increase again.
As of March 21, 2026, approximately 38.5% of Massachusetts residents have been vaccinated against influenza this season. 47.2% of children under 5 years, and 36.2% of children 5-19 years have been vaccinated against influenza.
COVID-19
COVID-19 activity during the 2025-2026 respiratory illness season continues to decrease. As reported as of March 21, 2026 on DPH's COVID-19 dashboard, there have been a total of 36,250 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 6,765 probable COVID-19 cases this season. There have been a total of 256 confirmed COVID-19 deaths and 23 probable COVID-19 deaths this season.
As of March 21, 2026, approximately 12.6% of Massachusetts residents have been vaccinated against COVID-19 this season. 9.6% of children under 5 years, and 7.0% of children 5-19 years of age have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
Immunization against COVID-19, influenza and RSV is recommended as long as respiratory illness virus strains are still circulating.
Massachusetts Respiratory Illness Dashboards
DPH's respiratory illness dashboard provides data on Massachusetts hospital admission and emergency department (ED) visits related to acute respiratory diseases, including COVID-19, influenza, and RSV.
DPH's immunizations for respiratory diseases dashboard includes data on Massachusetts immunizations against COVID-19, influenza, and RSV during the current respiratory season.
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