Flu deaths among children during the 2023-’24 season reached a record high, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The total grew to 200 after another death that occurred during the week ending August 3 was reported last week, marking what the CDC called a “new grim milestone.” The previous high for a non-pandemic season was 199 in the 2019-’20 season. In the 2009-’10 flu pandemic season, there were 288 pediatric deaths.
“Getting your child a flu vaccine is the most effective step to reduce the risk of flu illness and flu-related doctor’s visits and missed school days; flu vaccination also reduces the risk of flu-related hospitalization and death,” the CDC said.
Among children who died in 2023-’24 with a known vaccination status and health history, about 80% were not fully vaccinated and about half had a pre-existing medical condition.
Across all ages, flu caused about 41 million illnesses, 490,000 hospitalizations and 25,000 deaths in the 2023-’24 season, according to CDC estimates. Just 54% of all children and adolescents and less than half of adults got a flu vaccine.
A new CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report shows flu vaccination coverage by age 2 years for children born in 2020 or 2021 was 56%, down from 63% for children born in the two years prior.
Earlier this week, health officials said they expect the 2024-’25 respiratory virus season to be similar to the previous season and encouraged more people to get vaccinated against flu, COVID and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
The AAP and CDC recommend everyone 6 months and older get updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines. In addition, eligible infants, high-risk toddlers, pregnant people and older people should get immunized against RSV.
“We have the power to shape how this season is going to go,” CDC Director Mandy K. Cohen, M.D., M.P.H., said at a news conference. “Because if last season is any prediction of this season, that means 800,000 hospitalizations of flu, COVID and RSV. … We know that these vaccines can cut the risk of hospitalization in half, so we can make sure we are protecting ourselves and our families from the worst of what these viruses can bring.”
Resources
- AAP policy Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2024-2025
- AAP technical report Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2024-2025
- AAP clinical report Strategies for Improving Vaccine Communication and Uptake
- Information on flu from the CDC
- Information from the AAP on setting up a flu vaccine clinic
