Editor's note:For the latest flu coverage, visit https://www.aappublications.org/collection/influenza.
Three more children have died of flu this season, bringing the total to 109, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
No states reported widespread flu activity during the week ending May 11. About 1.5% of outpatient clinic visits were for flu, the fourth consecutive week below baseline. These rates were above baseline for 21 weeks, peaking in February at 5.1%.
H1N1 viruses were predominant from October into February, but a surge of H3N2 viruses beginning in late February contributed to what became the longest season in a decade.
The CDC and the Academy recommend everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated against the flu. Flu vaccine is 61% effective against medically attended influenza for children and 47% for the overall population, according to interim data from the CDC.
This season, inactivated influenza vaccine has been the primary vaccine choice, while quadrivalent live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) may be used for children who would not otherwise receive a vaccine, according to AAP policy.
Next season, the AAP will not have a preference between the two vaccines. However, AstraZeneca, which manufactures LAIV vaccine FluMist Quadrivalent, has announced its supply will be limited due to manufacturing constraints.
