Health and Me

Ishita Roy

US Flu Outbreak: 52 Pediatric Deaths So Far, Unvaccinated Kids Most At Risk

US Flu Outbreak: At least 52 children have died of the flu so far this season, with over 90 per cent not receiving the flu shots, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported.

“We are absolutely bracing ourselves,” Michele Slafkosky, executive director of the nonprofit Families Fighting Flu, was quoted by NBC News. “We’re concerned that we’re not even at the peak of flu season yet.”

Overall flu activity picked up again last week, according to the CDC report, following several weeks of decline. The agency estimates that there have been at least 20 million flu cases so far this season, resulting in 270,000 hospitalizations and 11,000 deaths. The CDC has also reported that this is the worst flu season so far. 

These cases are surging, along with an increase in hospitalization, driven by a mutated influenza A variant, H3N2, 'subclade K'. Experts have warned that flu activity could further increase in the weeks to come. Unlike past years, parents may have to jump through extra hoops to get their children a flu shot.

<h2>US Flu Outbreak: Pediatric Flu Deaths In 2024-25 Season</h2>

The 2024-25 flu season led to 280 flu-related pediatric deaths. This has been the highest number since the CDC started reporting these in 2004. Nearly all the children were unvaccinated.

Dr. Yvonne Maldonado, a pediatric infectious disease epidemiologist and professor at Stanford University, told TODAY.com, “It’s more than unfortunate; it's tragic," for the CDC to change its flu shot guidance for kids. “(Flu shots) probably are the most effective intervention in the last 100 years to reduce child deaths in this country.”

The change in the flu shot recommendation also drew criticism from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Infectious Disease Society of America.

Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/super-flu-now-reached-california-confirm-health-officials-article-153443881" data-type="tilCustomLink">Super Flu Now Reached California, Confirm Health Officials</a>

Experts have warned that the new guidance creates confusion, which could lead to fewer children getting vaccinated. However, doctors time and again have said that the best line of defense remains to be the flu shots. Dr Pedro Piedra, professor of molecular virology and pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine told Today.com, "There is plenty of data showing the effectiveness... of the influenza vaccine in children." The CDC website also states that the "flu vaccine can prevent severe, life-threatening complications in children."

US Flu Outbreak: How Effective Is The Flu Vaccine?

The flu shot helps the immune system learn how to fight the virus by exposing it to harmless pieces of killed or weakened flu germs, allowing the body to build antibodies that can quickly recognize and stop the infection if exposed later.

While the flu shot may not always stop you from catching the virus, its biggest strength lies in making the illness far less dangerous. Vaccinated people are significantly less likely to be hospitalized, need intensive care, or die from flu-related complications.

Overall flu shot effectiveness usually falls between 40 to 60 percent, depending on the season, but studies show the protection is often stronger in children. A 2022 study cited by the CDC found that flu vaccination reduced the risk of severe illness in children by 75 percent. Another CDC-listed study from 2020 showed the vaccine lowered flu-related hospitalizations by 41 percent and emergency room visits by 50 percent during the severe 2017–2018 flu season. Earlier research from 2017 also found that flu vaccination cut a child’s risk of dying from the flu by up to 65 percent, even among otherwise healthy children.

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US Flu Outbreak: At least 52 children have died of the flu so far this season, with over 90 per cent not receiving the flu shots, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported.“We are absolutely bracing ourselves,” Michele Slafkosky, executive director of the nonprofit Families Fighting Flu, was quoted by NBC News. “We’re concerned that we’re not even at the peak of flu season yet.”Overall flu activity picked up again last week, according to the CDC report, following several weeks of decline. The agency estimates that there have been at least 20 million flu cases so far this season, resulting in 270,000 hospitalizations and 11,000 deaths. The CDC has also reported that this is the worst flu season so far. These cases are surging, along with an increase in hospitalization, driven by a mutated influenza A variant, H3N2, 'subclade K'. Experts have warned that flu activity could further increase in the weeks to come. Unlike past years, parents may have to jump through extra hoops to get their children a flu shot.US Flu Outbreak: Pediatric Flu Deaths In 2024-25 SeasonThe 2024-25 flu season led to 280 flu-related pediatric deaths. This has been the highest number since the CDC started reporting these in 2004. Nearly all the children were unvaccinated.Dr. Yvonne Maldonado, a pediatric infectious disease epidemiologist and professor at Stanford University, told TODAY.com, “It’s more than unfortunate; it's tragic," for the CDC to change its flu shot guidance for kids. “(Flu shots) probably are the most effective intervention in the last 100 years to reduce child deaths in this country.”The change in the flu shot recommendation also drew criticism from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Infectious Disease Society of America.Read: Super Flu Now Reached California, Confirm Health OfficialsExperts have warned that the new guidance creates confusion, which could lead to fewer children getting vaccinated. However, doctors time and again have said that the best line of defense remains to be the flu shots. Dr Pedro Piedra, professor of molecular virology and pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine told Today.com, "There is plenty of data showing the effectiveness... of the influenza vaccine in children." The CDC website also states that the "flu vaccine can prevent severe, life-threatening complications in children."US Flu Outbreak: How Effective Is The Flu Vaccine?The flu shot helps the immune system learn how to fight the virus by exposing it to harmless pieces of killed or weakened flu germs, allowing the body to build antibodies that can quickly recognize and stop the infection if exposed later.While the flu shot may not always stop you from catching the virus, its biggest strength lies in making the illness far less dangerous. Vaccinated people are significantly less likely to be hospitalized, need intensive care, or die from flu-related complications.Overall flu shot effectiveness usually falls between 40 to 60 percent, depending on the season, but studies show the protection is often stronger in children. A 2022 study cited by the CDC found that flu vaccination reduced the risk of severe illness in children by 75 percent. Another CDC-listed study from 2020 showed the vaccine lowered flu-related hospitalizations by 41 percent and emergency room visits by 50 percent during the severe 2017–2018 flu season. Earlier research from 2017 also found that flu vaccination cut a child’s risk of dying from the flu by up to 65 percent, even among otherwise healthy children.