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Pediatric flu deaths on the rise -

Nearly 200 children have died from influenza-related complications in the 2023-24 season, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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Grim milestone -

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.

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Numbers exceeding previous highs -

The number of pediatric flu deaths so far recorded this year exceeds the previous high of 199 deaths reported during the 2019-2020 season.

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Not fully vaccinated -

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.

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Preexisting medical conditions -

The data also shows that nearly half the children had at least one preexisting medical condition.

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When to get vaccinated -

Everyone six months and older is urged to get their annual flu vaccine by the end of October, recommends the CDC.

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High-risk groups -

Those at higher risk, for example individuals having asthma, neurologic conditions, or being obese, are especially advised to get vaccinated.

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Higher doses recommended -

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.

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Two-shot solution -

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.

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Most effective method -

Health professionals insist that vaccination remains the most effective tool in preventing illness and reducing the risk of serious complications in youngsters.

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Vaccination status -

In its analysis, the CDC provided a breakdown of flu vaccination status among the group.

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Not fully vaccinated -

Of 158 children who were eligible to receive the vaccine and had known vaccination status, 131 (83%) were not fully vaccinated.

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Fatal cases -

Among the fatal cases, 73 were younger than five years old and 126 were ages five to 17, explained the agency.

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Subtype cases -

Approximately half the cases involved influenza A. Of those with known subtypes, 43 had H1N1 and 16 had H3N2.

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Coinfection cases -

Three children died from coinfections involving both influenza A and influenza B, the CDC reported.

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Dangers of underlying health problems -

Of 189 youngsters with health status information, 93 (49%) had at least one underlying medical condition.

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Declining rates -

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.

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Lower percentage rates -

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.

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Vaccination disparities -

The CDC also warned that vaccination disparities, such as urbanicity, race, and ethnicity, are worsening.

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Ethnic discrepancies -

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.

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Geographical differences -

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.

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Vaccine hesitancy -

One of the reasons for the decline in flu vaccine uptake is misinformation and hesitancy around vaccines that took hold with COVID-19.

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Disruption to routines -

The pandemic also disrupted families' regular visits with their doctors, when they may have received routine vaccines.

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The influenza virus -

The influenza virus spreads year round, but flu activity typically picks up in the colder, damper months during fall and winter.

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How flu spreads -

Influenza spreads person to person. People with the flu, including children, can spread it to others.

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Via respiratory droplets -

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.

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More than just a cold -

A popular misconception among families is that the flu is just another cold virus, and that it's nothing to worry about.

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A potential killer -

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.

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Lessens the risks -

And while it doesn't completely eliminate the risk of getting infected, a flu vaccine considerably reduces the chances of serious illness.

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A situation of great concern -

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.

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Get vaccinated! -

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

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