Flu activity across the United States is running higher than usual for this time of year, according to the CDC’s latest weekly FluView report released Friday.

The report says multiple surveillance indicators – including the percentage of specimens testing positive for influenza, doctor visits for flu-like illness, emergency room visits, and flu-related hospitalizations – have been climbing since late August and early September. Early-season activity is higher than typically observed at this time of year, though it remains within expected seasonal variation. The highest activity is currently on the West Coast.

The vast majority of flu viruses being reported are influenza A(H1N1)pdm09. The CDC recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older, ideally during September or October.

The report comes as New Jersey health officials push residents to get vaccinated ahead of the fall and winter respiratory virus season. Governor Mikie Sherrill and Health Commissioner Dr. Raynard Washington received their own flu shots on camera at a Bayonne vaccine clinic last week, with the state noting that flu activity in New Jersey remains low but is higher than at this time last year.