More children died of flu this season than in each of the past three seasons, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Two pediatric flu deaths that occurred in April recently were reported, bringing the total to 186, up from 185 last season. The total is the highest since the 2019-’20 season that recorded 199 pediatric flu deaths.
Across all ages, the CDC estimates flu caused at least 35 million illnesses, 400,000 hospitalizations and 25,000 deaths this season.
Flu activity is low across the country, but typically increases in the fall. The AAP and CDC recommend everyone 6 months and older get updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines this fall.
Flu vaccines for the 2024-’25 season will be trivalent with an updated influenza A (H3N2) component. The influenza B Yamagata component has been removed as this strain has not circulated since March 2020. COVID-19 vaccines also are being updated to better match circulating strains.
Just 54% of children and adolescents were vaccinated against flu this season and 14% had received the latest COVID-19 vaccine, according to CDC data.
“Our top recommendation for protecting yourself and your loved ones from respiratory illness is to get vaccinated,” CDC Director Mandy Cohen, M.D., M.P.H., said in a recent statement. “Make a plan now for you and your family to get both updated flu and COVID vaccines this fall, ahead of the respiratory virus season.”
Health officials also are monitoring highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu virus, which has been reported in four people. The human cases come as the virus is widespread among wild birds and continues to cause outbreaks in poultry and spillover to mammals. The CDC will host a webinar for clinicians and health care centers from 2-3 p.m. EDT July 16 to give an update on the outbreak in the United States and discuss CDC surveillance and monitoring efforts.
Resources
- AAP policy Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2023-2024
- AAP technical report Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2023-2024
- AAP clinical report Strategies for Improving Vaccine Communication and Uptake
- Information on flu from the CDC
- AAP flu toolkit
- Information for parents on flu vaccine from HealthyChildren.org