You snooze you lose?
Nearly 200 children have died from influenza-related complications in the 2023-24 season, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The number of pediatric flu deaths so far recorded this year exceeds the previous high of 199 deaths reported during the 2019-2020 season.
Of 189 youngsters with health status information, 93 (49%) had at least one underlying medical condition.
Among the fatal cases, 73 were younger than five years old and 126 were ages five to 17, explained the agency.
Around 80% of the children that died from flu this season, and who were eligible for a flu vaccine and had known vaccination status, were not fully vaccinated against influenza, CDC data indicates.
Those at higher risk, for example individuals having asthma, neurologic conditions, or being obese, are especially advised to get vaccinated.
The data also shows that nearly half the children had at least one preexisting medical condition.
Of 158 children who were eligible to receive the vaccine and had known vaccination status, 131 (83%) were not fully vaccinated.
About 53.9% of children were vaccinated against influenza for the 2023-24 season, with coverage 2.2 percentage points lower than the previous season and 8.5 percentage points lower than the pre-pandemic period.
Approximately half the cases involved influenza A. Of those with known subtypes, 43 had H1N1 and 16 had H3N2.
The pandemic also disrupted families' regular visits with their doctors, when they may have received routine vaccines.
The national public health agency of the United States announced the grim milestone after it reported two more pediatric flu deaths in early September 2024.
Similarly, kids up to eight years old receiving their first flu shot should be given two doses if they previously have not, the CDC notes.
In its study, the CDC also identified a worrying trend: vaccination rates among children for flu in the United States have been declining in recent years.
And while it doesn't completely eliminate the risk of getting infected, a flu vaccine considerably reduces the chances of serious illness.
In its analysis, the CDC provided a breakdown of flu vaccination status among the group.
Three children died from coinfections involving both influenza A and influenza B, the CDC reported.
The CDC also warned that vaccination disparities, such as urbanicity, race, and ethnicity, are worsening.
Everyone six months and older is urged to get their annual flu vaccine by the end of October, recommends the CDC.
Health professionals insist that vaccination remains the most effective tool in preventing illness and reducing the risk of serious complications in youngsters.
One of the reasons for the decline in flu vaccine uptake is misinformation and hesitancy around vaccines that took hold with COVID-19.
Most experts believe that flu viruses spread in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes, and even by talking. It can also advance by touching a surface that's contaminated by the flu virus.
A popular misconception among families is that the flu is just another cold virus, and that it's nothing to worry about.
Influenza spreads person to person. People with the flu, including children, can spread it to others.
But pediatric infectious disease physicians are quick to point out that the virus is a potential killer across all age groups, but particularly so among the very young, the elderly, and those weakened by preexisting medical conditions.
Any number of children's flu deaths is a deeply tragic reminder that flu can cause severe illness and deaths, reminds the CDC. But estimates indicate that flu vaccination reduces the risk of flu-related medical visits by approximately two-thirds and halves the risk of flu-related hospitalization for vaccinated children.
Sources: (CDC) (ABC News) (NBC News)
See also: A practical guide to this year’s cold, flu, and COVID season
The number of deaths so far recorded in the 2023-2014 season across the United States remains of great concern to physicians. But the figure is still someway off that recorded in 2009-10 when 288 children died from the flu, at the height of the H1N1 swine flu pandemic.
Older adults over the age of 65, who may be at risk of serious illness, hospitalization, or death, may opt for a higher dose flu shot for added protection.
The influenza virus spreads year round, but flu activity typically picks up in the colder, damper months during fall and winter.
Less than half of black children received their annual flu vaccine, and slightly more than half of white children did, compared to nearly 60% of Hispanic children and nearly 59% of children listed as "Other," CDC data outlined.
Data also identified that less than 40% of children in rural areas received their annual dose, compared to nearly 60% of kids in urban areas and nearly 54% in suburbs.
Click through the gallery and examine the CDC data in more detail.
Why have flu deaths in kids hit a new record in the US?
What's to blame for this worrying upturn in numbers?
HEALTH Influenza
A recent study released in the United States by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified a worrying spike in the number of pediatric flu deaths recorded across the nation. Flu-related deaths in children reached 200 for the 2023-24 season, exceeding the previous high recorded in 2019-2020. In the wake of the findings, federal health officials have reemphasized the importance of getting vaccinated. But what's the cause behind these record high figures, and why aren't more kids coming forward to receive a potentially lifesaving flu jab?
Click through the gallery and examine the CDC data in more detail.