Another child has died of flu, bringing the total to 14 this season, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The report comes as flu activity increases in some areas of the country and declines in others.
About 6.5% of clinical lab specimens were positive for influenza during the week ending March 26, down from 7.7% the week before. In the central and south-central regions, flu activity is the highest but declining slightly. The northeast and northwest regions are seeing an increase, according to the CDC.
About 1.8% of outpatient medical visits last week were for a respiratory illness, the same as the week before and still below baseline. The cumulative hospitalization rate of 7.2 per 100,000 people is higher than last season but lower than the four seasons just before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Overall, the CDC estimates at least 3.5 million people have gotten sick from flu this season, 34,000 have been hospitalized and 2,000 have died.
The AAP and CDC recommend everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated. Flu vaccines have not been highly effective in preventing infection this season but still may protect against severe illness.
The AAP recently announced it would keep its flu recommendations the same next season with no preference for any product.
Resources
- AAP policy Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2021–2022
- AAP technical report Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2021-2022
- Information on flu from the CDC
- CDC FAQs about the 2021-’22 flu season
- Information for parents on flu vaccine from HealthyChildren.org
- Information on flu from the AAP Red Book
- Flu vaccine locations near you
