Oct. 23, 2026. Reno/Sparks, Nev. – Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) is providing an update for the 2026-27 respiratory illness season.
- The first flu-related death of the 2026-27 season has been reported
- NNPH’s Washoe County Respiratory Illness Dashboard has launched
- 3 NNPH vaccine clinics are scheduled starting Saturday, Nov. 14
1st flu-related death: Male in his 80s
NNPH is reporting the first flu-related death in Washoe County of the 2026-27 season: A male in his 80s.
The resident was hospitalized and had underlying health conditions.
During the 2025-26 respiratory illness season, the first flu-related death was reported in January. In total, 27 flu-related deaths were reported during the 2025-26 respiratory season.
NNPH Respiratory Illness Dashboard is live
The NNPH respiratory illness dashboard is live and can be viewed on the NNPH website at www.nnph.org/respiratory.
NNPH’s dashboard, which is scheduled to be updated every Friday (except for weeks with an observed holiday), is designed to make local data accessible, transparent, and actionable for the community.
This easy-to-use dashboard shows weekly trends in flu, RSV and COVID-19, including related hospitalizations and deaths. It helps residents understand how respiratory illnesses are affecting our community and make informed decisions about their health.
The dashboard, which debuted last year, includes:
- Weekly updates on respiratory virus activity in Washoe County (except during weeks with an observed holiday)
- Hospitalization, death and case rates by demographics like age and race/ethnicity
- Interactive charts and comparisons across seasons
- Key messages and public health alerts
The dashboard can be accessed at https://www.nnph.org/respiratory. NNPH encourages residents, healthcare providers, and media partners to explore the tool and use it to stay informed throughout the respiratory season.
NNPH to host fast and free flu vaccine event on Saturday, Nov. 14
The Community & Clinical Health Services (CCHS) division of NNPH is hosting its first community flu and COVID-19 vaccine event on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Washoe County Administration Complex, Building C, 1001 E. 9th St., in Reno.
- What: Free standard flu shots for 6 months and older
- Where: 1001 E. 9th St., Building C, Reno
- Appointment: Not required
- Insurance: Not required
- Parent or Legal Guardian: Required for anyone under 18
It’s a perfect opportunity to get a fast and free flu shot for anyone in the family 6 months and older. No insurance is needed. Please bring ID. There will be additional free resources available at this event.
The flu vaccine is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of serious illness and hospitalization. NNPH also recommends regular handwashing, staying home when sick, covering coughs and sneezes, and seeking medical care if symptoms become severe.
This is the first of several NNPH free flu vaccine events. Learn more here.
The CCHS immunization program has appointments for all childhood vaccines Monday-Friday (except holidays). Call 775-328-2402 to schedule an appointment.
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Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) is nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board and has jurisdiction over all public health matters in Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County through the policy-making District Board of Health. NNPH consists of four public-facing divisions: Air Quality Management, Community and Clinical Health Services, Environmental Health Services, and Population Health. More info can be found here.