Is flu going around in Italy?
Influenza: Low
No. Flu activity in Italy is currently low and holding steady (as of 18 Oct 2026).
Data window: Week 42 · Oct 12 – Oct 18 · Source: ECDC (weekly) · Next update Fri, Oct 30
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Current activity
Source: ECDC ERVISS, ECDC Data. Published weekly, about one week behind.
Frequently asked questions
When is flu season in Italy?
Flu in Italy typically starts rising in December, peaks between January and February, and eases through March. The Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) runs the RespiVirNet integrated surveillance system and publishes weekly bulletins describing the curve. Timing and intensity vary from season to season, influenced by the dominant influenza subtypes and residual population immunity.
How does ISS classify flu severity?
Through RespiVirNet, ISS publishes weekly reports combining primary-care incidence from sentinel GPs and paediatricians, hospital admissions for severe acute respiratory infection, ICU admissions, and virological positivity. Activity is described in qualitative bands against historical thresholds. Italy also contributes to the ECDC European Respiratory Virus Surveillance Summary (ERVISS), placing Italian activity in its European context.
How is flu surveillance organised in Italy?
RespiVirNet is coordinated by ISS in partnership with the Ministero della Salute and the regional health authorities. Sentinel “medici sentinella” GPs and paediatricians report weekly ILI incidence and submit swabs for virological testing at reference laboratories. Hospital surveillance adds severe-case and ICU admission data. The integrated bulletin is published weekly and feeds the ECDC ERVISS dashboard.
Is the flu vaccine free in Italy?
Italy offers free seasonal flu vaccination through the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale to groups at higher risk, typically including adults aged 60 or 65 and over depending on the region, pregnant women, people with certain long-term conditions, children aged 6 months to 6 years in many regions, healthcare workers, and carers. Vaccination coverage is reported by ISS and the Ministero della Salute alongside RespiVirNet surveillance.
How does this year's Italian flu season compare to previous ones?
Each season is shaped by the dominant influenza subtype and accumulated immunity. RespiVirNet reports compare current indicators against recent seasons, and ECDC ERVISS provides European-level context. Italy has seen both early, sharp peaks in January and longer, drawn-out curves stretching into March. The weekly bulletins show whether current activity sits above or below the recent historical average.