Walgreens Flu Index tracks 4 consecutive weeks of increased flu activity

Although flu activity has been rising across the U.S. since October, the Walgreens Flu Index just tracked its fourth consecutive week of increasing flu activity.

“Flu season is in full swing,” says Anita Patel, vice president of Pharmacy Services Development at Walgreens.

The Walgreens Flu Index is an online, interactive tool that tracks weekly flu activity based on flu-related prescription data across the company’s community pharmacy locations nationwide. Index data is updated every Tuesday and allows users to search by market or state to see where their geographic area ranks for flu activity. For example, current data shows the top five states with flu activity are Oklahoma, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas and Texas.

The first week to show an increase in flu activity was the week ending on Jan. 18, 2025. The index data showed a 52% increase in average overall flu activity from the previous week. The chart below shows an increase each week since. Flu activity for the week ending on Feb. 8, 2025, the latest data from the index, only showed a small 1.6% increase in average overall flu activity from the previous week.

2025 Flu Week	Percent Change in Avg Overall Flu Activity From Prior Week
Week ending Jan. 18, 2025	52% increase
Week ending Jan. 25, 2025	33% increase
Week ending Feb. 1, 2025	46% increase
Week ending Feb. 8, 2025	1.6% increase

U.S. flu activity over the last four weeks is also significantly higher when compared to the same time last year. For example, flu activity from the week ending Feb. 8, 2025, was 204% higher compared to the week ending Feb. 10, 2024.

Walgreens Flu Index, Feb 2024 Walgreens Flu Index, Feb 2025

Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also suggests this flu season is the most intense in 15 years. The CDC shows the percentage of flu-symptom-driven doctors’ visits is higher than the peak of any winter flu season since 2009-2010, the Associated Press first reported.

“To protect yourself and others, I encourage everyone to get vaccinated, wash your hands frequently and if you're feeling symptoms, get tested right away,” Patel says.

This flu season, make Walgreens your one-stop-shop for getting vaccinated, tested and even getting virtual healthcare from the comfort of your home.

“Don’t forget to pick up flu essentials like tissues, hand sanitizers, disinfecting wipes, over-the-counter medications and plenty of fluids at your local Walgreens,” Patel says. “These items can help ease symptoms and prevent the spread of germs during this busy flu season.”

You can even place an order on Walgreens.com or the Walgreens app for 30-Minute Pickup or 1-Hour Delivery. And if you’re too sick to leave the house for your prescription, Walgreens comes to you with Same Day Prescription Delivery.

For more information about the Walgreens Flu Index or to schedule an interview, please contact media@walgreens.com.

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