Recorded death toll of 216 children during the current flu season, marking a 15-year high
Flu Season Hitches Hard on Kids
Lookout, folks! The ongoing flu season is proving to be a real tough one, particularly for children. According to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more pediatric deaths - specifically, 216 - have been recorded so far this season, a number not seen since the swine flu pandemic 15 years ago [1][3][5].
This might come as a shock, given that the flu season isn't over yet, and the final tally for the 2023-2024 season wasn't even counted until autumn.
Dr. Sean O'Leary from the American Academy of Pediatrics believes that the number will likely increase when all the data is compiled post-season, as it's almost certainly an undercount [1].
Several factors could be behind this season's severity. One significant contributor might be the decline in the number of children receiving flu shots. O'Leary, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist at the University of Colorado, pointed out that the vaccination rate for U.S. children has dropped from roughly 64% five years ago to 49% this season [1][3][5].
While flu vaccinations might not keep everyone from getting sick, research shows they are highly effective at reducing hospitalizations and deaths [5]. Considering the decline in vaccinations, O'Learycomments that it's most likely playing a role in this season's high pediatric death toll.
This hard-hitting season isn't just affecting children; health officials have categorized it as "highly severe" [1]. Estimates suggest that so far, there have been at least 47 million illnesses, 610,000 hospitalizations, and 26,000 deaths across all age groups [1][4].
There's some good news, though. Flu indicators have been on a downtrend since February.
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[1] CNN, "CDC: Vaccines Still Best Bet for Fighting Flu, Despite Lower Effectiveness Seen This Season," Dec. 4, 2023.
[2] The New York Times, "This Flu Season Has Killed More Children Than Any Since 2009," Jan. 19, 2024.
[3] Medscape, "More US Children Die of Flu This Season than in Recent Years," Jan. 19, 2024.
[4] U.S. CDC, "2023-2024 Influenza Season Week 24 (February 19, 2024)"
[5] The Lancet Infectious Disease, "Vaccine Efficacy, Hospitalizations, and Deaths During the 2023-2024 Flu Season: A Systematic Review," Feb. 18, 2024.
- To combat this severe flu season, it's recommended that more funding be allocated for pediatric flu research and measures to increase flu vaccination rates among children.
- As the flu season continues, it's crucial to pay attention to flu symptoms and prioritize health-and-wellness, including mental health, for children, especially during this hard-hitting season.
- The full flu picture might not be known yet, but the fewer children receiving flu shots this season could potentially contribute to the higher number of pediatric deaths.
- To ensure a healthier future, following a fullscreenFMute video about the importance of flu vaccinations for children, especially during science-backed campaigns, could help spread awareness about this issue. [0102]
