Flu impact in Italy
Italy recorded an estimated 16 million ILI cases during the 2024/2025 season—the highest incidence since national surveillance began. However, official data for age-specific hospitalizations and ICU admissions have not been published, making it difficult to fully quantify the impact on older populations.
2025/26 Season outlook
Hospitals in the North and South of Italy entered a 'state of emergency' due to aggressive variants (Influenza K). Surveillance data is now reported as acute respiratory infections and is rarely broken down into influenza.
- VCR – slight increase expected, but decline in older adult vaccination
- Surveillance data now reported as acute respiratory infections, rarely broken down into influenza
- Hospitals in North and South entered 'state of emergency' due to Influenza K variants
- Regional surveillance mostly reports only acute respiratory infections (ARI)
Data at a glance
Comparing flu burden across total population and 65+ adults.
25%
Popuplation
Total: 59 Million
Over 65: 14.6 Million
2.8%
Deaths
Total: -
Over 65: 2.6-2.8% in-hospital mortality
~24,000
Hospitalizations
Total: ~26,000 (mean, 2016-2019)
Over 65: ~24,000(mean, 2016-2019)
16M
Flu cases / ICU
ILI cases
€5,616
Cost / Admission
Total: €3,596
Over 65: €3,728-€5,616
52.5%
VCR
Total: 19.6%
Over 65: 52.5%
General population vs older adults
Side-by-side impact across key metrics for total population and 65+.
Hospital admissions
Total Population: ~26,000 (mean, 2016-2019)
Over 65: ~24,000 (mean, 2016-2019)
Deaths
Total Population: -
Over 65: 2.6-2.8% in-hospital mortality
Cost per hospitalization
Total Population: €3,596
Over 65: €3,728-€5,616
Vaccination coverage rate
Total Population: 19.6%
Over 65: 52.5%
Financial burden on Italy
Average hospitalization cost of €3,596 for people not at-risk. Adults aged 65-74 averaged €5,616 per hospitalization, and those 75+ averaged €3,728. Total direct costs amounted to approximately €9.7 million with ~95% borne by hospital care.
COST PER HOSPITALIZATION
€3,596
Total population
COST PER HOSPITALIZATION (65+)
€3,728-€5,616
Older adults
2025/26 COST UPDATE
Investigating up-to-date data on costs. If not available, will look at costs that could be saved through prevention.
Policy context & vaccination strategy
Italy maintains a longstanding recommendation for annual influenza vaccination, offering it free to adults 60+. Despite this, coverage was only 52.5% in 2024/2025. Strong policy intent has not yet translated into consistent, real-world protection for high-risk groups.
Despite free access for people aged 65+ and eight vaccines being available, systemic barriers remain—from regional tenders to uneven distribution logistics and a declining number of GPs. Feasibility of state-level case studies being explored.
Data limitations
Italy recorded the highest number of ILI cases since national surveillance began but official data for age-specific hospitalizations and ICU admissions have not been published. Historical 2016-2019 data is used for hospitalization estimates.
Public perceptions of influenza
Survey data coming soon
Local perceptions survey data for France will be added in an upcoming update, including public attitudes toward flu vaccination and risk awareness.
Closing the protection gap in Italy
Whether you shape policy or deliver care, the evidence is clear: older adults need better protection against seasonal influenza. Use this data to drive coordinated, evidence-led change.
Reports & scorecards
Country scorecards — Italy
Flunomics 2.0
Coming Soon
Updated country scorecards for the 2025/2026 season will be available here.
Flunomics 1.0 - English
Country scorecard from the 2024/2025 season.
Flunomics global reports
Global Report 2.0
Coming Soon
The 2025/2026 global report will be available here.
Global Report 1.0 - English
The 2024/2025 global report with comprehensive data and analysis.
