One more child has died of the flu, bringing the total to 29, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The data for the week ending June 11 represent the CDC’s last comprehensive weekly flu report of the 2021-’22 season.
While several areas are seeing increased activity — especially Florida, Washington, D.C., and New Mexico — seasonal influenza activity is decreasing nationally.
About 3.4% of clinical lab specimens were positive for influenza during the week ending June 11, and the percentage has declined in recent weeks. Outpatient medical visits for respiratory illness are at 2.1%, which is below baseline.
The cumulative hospitalization rate of 17.1 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 8 million people have gotten the flu this season, 82,000 have been hospitalized and 5,000 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 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
