At Least 216 Children Dead From Flu This Season, Marking 15-year High: Cdc

Two 100 and sixteen children person died from nan flu this season, marking nan highest number of pediatric flu deaths successful 15 years, according to a report released Friday, May 2, by nan U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The past clip nan U.S. saw a higher mortality complaint was during nan H1N1 swine flu pandemic of 2009-2010, when 288 children died, according to nan American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

‘Almost surely an undercount’

Flu play typically lasts from October until May, pinch peaks betwixt December and February, meaning pediatric deaths could emergence further. The decease toll for nan 2023-2024 flu season, which killed 207 children, didn’t go clear until past autumn.

“This number that we person now is almost surely an undercount, and 1 that — erstwhile nan play is declared over, and they compile each nan information — it’s almost definite to spell up,” Dr. Sean O’Leary, a pediatric infectious diseases master astatine nan University of Colorado and personnel of nan AAP, said.

‘Highly severe’ flu play and little vaccination rates

Overall, nan CDC has characterized this year’s flu play arsenic “highly severe,” pinch an estimated 47 cardinal illnesses, 610,000 hospitalizations, and 26,000 deaths crossed each property groups.

According to O’Leary, nan higher pediatric decease toll is owed to less children receiving flu vaccines. Vaccination rates among younger Americans person dipped from astir 64% 5 years agone to a existent complaint of 49%.

The CDC’s study did not item nan vaccination position of those who person died from nan flu this season. It does, however, statement that of 2,000 children who were hospitalized pinch nan flu, astir 53% had an underlying condition, including asthma and obesity.

Why are vaccination rates declining?

Vaccination rates person declined since nan COVID-19 pandemic thrust distrust of inoculations into nan spotlight. That position was further bolstered by President Donald Trump’s assignment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to Secretary of Health and Human Services. Kennedy has agelong questioned nan efficacy and information of vaccines.

However, O’Leary said nan rumor of little vaccination rates is much complex. He cited understaffed pediatric offices and less after-hours vaccination clinics arsenic contributing to little rates among children. Similarly, O’Leary said much group are turning to pharmacies for their vaccinations, which sometimes person policies against vaccinating children.

“My dream is that this play will beryllium a spot of (a) aftermath up telephone for folks that we really do request to vaccinate our kids against influenza,” O’Leary said.

According to CDC data, nan 2024-2025 flu play has been receding since February, pinch each 50 states reporting “low aliases minimal flu activity,” as noted by Medical Xpress.