Doctors warn of 'silent pandemic' sweeping US as child flu deaths hit grim new milestone
Share this @internewscast.com

More US children have died this flu season than at any time since the swine flu pandemic 15 years ago, according to a new federal report.

The 216 pediatric deaths reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eclipse the 207 reported last year. 

It’s the most since the 2009-2010 H1N1 global flu pandemic. It’s a startlingly high number, experts say, given that the flu season is still going on and many of the children did not have any underlying health issues.  

The final pediatric death tally for the 2023-2024 flu season wasn’t counted until autumn.

‘This number that we have now is almost certainly an undercount, and one that — when the season is declared over, and they compile all the data — it’s almost certain to go up,’ said Dr Sean O’Leary, of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

There are likely several contributors to this season’s severity, but one of the drivers is that fewer children are getting flu shots, added O’Leary, a University of Colorado pediatric infectious diseases specialist.

The flu vaccination rate for US children has plummeted from about 64 percent five years ago to 49 percent this season.

Flu vaccinations may not prevent people from coming down with symptoms, but research shows they are highly effective at preventing hospitalizations and deaths, O’Leary said.

More US children have died this flu season than at any time since the swine flu pandemic 15 years ago, according to a new federal report

The season has not only been hard on children. 

CDC officials have described it as ‘highly severe,’ and estimate that so far there have been at least 47 million illnesses, 610,000 hospitalizations and 26,000 deaths this season.

The flu season generally results in an average of 9.3 million to 41 million illnesses annually, so the current count tops that. 

CDC officials have information about underlying conditions on nearly 5,200 adults who were hospitalized with flu this season, and 95 percent had at least one existing health problem. 

But among 2,000 hospitalized children with more detailed health information, only about 53 percent had an underlying condition — including asthma and obesity.

The CDC report did not say how many of the children who died were vaccinated. 

The agency did not make an expert available to talk about the flu season.

The good news is that flu indicators have been waning since February, and last week all 50 states were reporting low or minimal flu activity.

The season has seen more of a mix of flu strain circulating than in many other years, with two different Type A strains — H1N1 and H3N2 — causing a lot of infections. 

But CDC data released earlier this year suggested flu shots were doing a pretty good job at preventing deaths and hospitalizations.

Childhood vaccinations in general have been declining, driven by online misinformation and the political schism that emerged around COVID-19 vaccines

Childhood vaccinations in general have been declining, driven by online misinformation and the political schism that emerged around COVID-19 vaccines

The season has not only been hard on children. CDC officials have described it as ' highly severe,' and estimate that so far there have been at least 47 million illnesses, 610,000 hospitalizations and 26,000 deaths this season.

The season has not only been hard on children. CDC officials have described it as ‘ highly severe,’ and estimate that so far there have been at least 47 million illnesses, 610,000 hospitalizations and 26,000 deaths this season.

The CDC continues to recommend that everyone ages 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine.

Childhood vaccinations in general have been declining, driven by online misinformation and the political schism that emerged around COVID-19 vaccines. 

Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has also echoed some of the rhetoric of antivaccine activists since taking over as the nation’s health secretary.

But there may be other reasons fewer children got flu shots this year, O’Leary said.

Many pediatricians offices are understaffed and are not holding as many after-hours vaccination clinics as in the past. 

Also, more Americans are getting their vaccinations at pharmacies, but some drugstores don’t vaccinate children, he said.

‘My hope is that this season will be a bit of wake up call for folks that we actually do need to vaccinate our kids against influenza,’ O’Leary said.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Alarming Rise in Criminalization of High-Risk HIV Groups Due to New Strict Laws Worldwide

People at higher risk of HIV, such as gay men and people…

Over-the-Counter Supplement Helps 8-Year-Old Regain Ability to Walk

A compound that can make a common over-the-counter supplement has given an…

I encountered the dreaded restroom sign; doctors dismissed me, and I was too embarrassed to press further. It took five years to uncover the shocking truth.

It took doctors five years to diagnose my colorectal cancer, and when…

UK Hospitals with High Mortality Rates: NHS Trusts with Elevated Patient Deaths, According to Report – How Does Your Hospital Compare?

NHS hospitals in England where patient fatalities are higher than expected have…

Two Popular British Foods That Help Reduce Blood Pressure

Drinking tea and nibbling on dark chocolate could boost your heart health.…

Dr. Hilary Jones Reveals Unique Method to Improve Mood Swings and Reduce Blood Pressure

TV doctor Hilary Jones has shed light on an “unusual tactic” that…

Experts Alert: Dangerous Parasites Infecting Humans in the US and Spreading Deadly Diseases

Bugs in the southeastern US may be spreading deadly, disease-causing parasites, experts…

Wes Streeting Addresses Potential Doctor Strikes – What It Means for You

The British Medical Association (BMA) has revealed plans for resident doctors, previously…

How frequently a microbiologist suggests you should wash your bedding

A microbiologist has revealed exactly how often we should be washing our…

The Lesser-Known Nutrient That Combats Fatigue and Enhances Well-Being

Over the years, the body’s capacity to transform CoQ10 into ubiquinol diminishes…

Man Loses Leg Due to First Aid Error

A father-of-one has told how he was forced to have his leg…

Chris’s Struggle to Save His Wife Amidst Medical Oversight: Vital Lessons for Every Family

Chris Yates pleaded with nurses and counselors to save his wife’s life.…