By Ethan Covey
The 2017-2018 influenza season was particularly severe, with record hospitalization rates and high numbers of pediatric influenza-related deaths, according to the CDC.
The season, which lasted from Oct. 1, 2017, to May 19, 2018, predominantly featured the A(H3N2) virus. Large numbers of outpatient clinic and emergency department visits were reported, and flu activity was widespread across the country for an extended period (MMWR Morbid Mortal Wkly Rep