Three more children have died of flu, bringing the total to 28 this season, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Some areas are still seeing increases in flu activity, which is not typical for June. Flu activity is highest in Florida, Washington, D.C., New Mexico and Nevada. Nationally, about 5.9% of clinical lab specimens were positive for influenza during the week ending June 4, and the percentage has declined slightly over the past three weeks. Outpatient medical visits for respiratory illness are at 2.3%, which is below baseline.
The cumulative hospitalization rate of 16.7 per 100,000 people is lower than the four seasons just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the CDC.
Overall, the CDC estimates at least 7.8 million people have gotten sick from flu this season, 80,000 have been hospitalized and 4,900 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 said 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
