CDC Reports the Most Child Deaths From Flu in 15 Years

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last week reported that more U.S. children have died this flu season than since the global swine flu pandemic 15 years ago.

For the week ended April 26, the CDC tracked 216 pediatric deaths, which already surpasses the 207 pediatric deaths reported last year. The flu season is also ongoing, and the final pediatric death tally probably won’t be available until the fall. This year’s pediatric deaths are preliminary and expected to increase, the Associated Press reported.

Experts believe the higher number of pediatric deaths are partially attributed to fewer children getting flu shots. The flu vaccination rate for U.S. children sank from 64% five years ago to 49% this season. The CDC continues to recommend that everyone ages 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine as long as influenza viruses are circulating.

While seasonal flu activity continues to decline, this season is classified as a high-severity season overall and for all age groups (children, adults, and older adults) and is the first high-severity season since 2017-2018, the CDC reported. Based on data from FluSurv-NET, the cumulative hospitalization rate for this season is the highest observed since the 2010-2011 season.

The CDC estimates that at least 47 million illnesses, 610,000 hospitalizations, and 26,000 deaths have occurred from flu so far this season.