Riverside County Reports First Flu-Related Death of 2025 Season

Riverside County has confirmed its first flu-related death of the 2025 season. Health officials say the victim was a 65-year-old resident from Western Riverside County who had not received a flu shot—something they emphasize could significantly reduce the risk of severe illness or hospitalization.

While current flu activity across the county remains low, experts warn that numbers typically climb following Thanksgiving. Only 16% of residents have been vaccinated so far, a rate significantly lower than previous years.

Officials also note that other respiratory illnesses, including RSV, are beginning to peak as winter approaches. Vaccines for RSV are available for older adults, pregnant individuals in their third trimester, and young children entering their first or second RSV season.

Medical providers, including Desert Oasis Healthcare, stress that now is the time to get vaccinated—especially with more than 80 million Americans expected to travel for Thanksgiving. They say the flu vaccine takes about two weeks to become fully effective, making early protection crucial heading into the holidays.