In a stark revelation, it’s reported that more children in the United States have died from the flu this season than in any other influenza season since the swine flu pandemic of 2009. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 216 pediatric deaths, surpassing the 207 fatalities reported last year, attributing this to the most severe season since the H1N1 pandemic.
The gravity of the situation remains alarming, particularly because the flu season is not yet over and the full tally of pediatric deaths for the 2023-2024 cycle is still forthcoming. Dr. Sean O’Leary from the American Academy of Pediatrics notes that the current figures are probably conservative estimates and are likely to rise before the season concludes. He attributes part of the severity to a decrease in flu vaccinations, observing a drop in the vaccination rate for children from 64% five years ago to just 49% this season.
While flu vaccines may not always prevent illness, they are proven to be effective in reducing hospitalizations and fatalities. This season, classified as “highly severe” by CDC officials, has so far resulted in an estimated 47 million illnesses, 610,000 hospitalizations, and 26,000 deaths. Data from the CDC reveal that among the 5,200 hospitalized adults with disclosed health information, 95% had pre-existing health issues. In contrast, among approximately 2,000 hospitalized children with known health backgrounds, only about 53% had underlying conditions such as asthma and obesity.
The report does not specify how many of the deceased children were vaccinated. Additionally, CDC representatives were unavailable for further comments regarding the flu season. On a positive note, flu activity has declined since February, with all U.S. states currently reporting low flu incidents.
An unusual attribute of this season is the mix of circulating flu strains, including the Type A strains H1N1 and H3N2, which have been notably infectious, although preliminary CDC data earlier indicated that flu vaccinations were relatively effective against these strains. The CDC stands by its recommendation that everyone aged six months and older should receive an annual flu vaccination.
The decline in overall childhood vaccinations is partly linked to online misinformation and controversial debates surrounding COVID-19 vaccines. There’s been an observed decrease under the influence of some anti-vaccine rhetoric from high-profile figures. However, Dr. O’Leary suggests other factors might also contribute to the low vaccination rates, such as staffing challenges at pediatricians’ offices and the reduced number of after-hours vaccination clinics. Additionally, while more people are opting for pharmacy vaccinations, some pharmacies do not cater to children.
Dr. O’Leary expresses hope that this flu season’s impact will serve as an urgent prompt for parents to vaccinate their children against influenza. With the continuous threat of flu and pandemic challenges, the healthcare field stresses the importance of maintaining preventive measures to protect vulnerable populations, particularly children.