Flu Cases Surge, Severe Illness Rises Among Children as Vaccination Rates Decline
U.S. health officials are reporting a concerning trend: more children are experiencing severe complications and even death from the flu as vaccination rates fall to their lowest levels in years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data reveals a significant drop in flu shot coverage among children, coinciding with increased hospitalizations and fatalities linked to the virus.
While the seasonal flu vaccine isn’t as effective at preventing infection as vaccines for diseases like measles, doctors emphasize its crucial role in mitigating severe illness and death. Last year, the flu shot was up to 78% effective in preventing flu-related hospitalizations in children and teens, according to the CDC. However, approximately 90% of the 280 children who died during the last flu season had not received their annual flu shot.
“Our goal as parents and doctors is to keep kids healthy and to help protect kids who are at risk from getting sicker,” said Dr.Van Haren. “Vaccination against the flu is the purest, best, simplest way to do that.”
Current data from the Southern Hemisphere’s flu season indicates the vaccine is currently reducing flu-related hospitalizations by half. Despite this, flu shot uptake in the U.S. has been declining. The CDC reports that fewer than half of children (49.2%) received a flu shot last year, a decrease from 62.4% during the 2019-20 flu season.
Dr. Sean O’Leary, an infectious diseases expert with the American Academy of Pediatrics, attributes the decline to a combination of factors. “A lot of families are experiencing access to care issues,” he said. “And a lot of practices are experiencing significant staffing issues. They might not be able to have large flu clinics after hours or on Saturdays.” Increasing vaccine hesitancy is also contributing to the problem,according to NBC News reporting.
The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older receive an annual flu shot. For vulnerable children, like Beckett, whose mother Christine spoke to reporters, widespread vaccination is especially vital.
“Its easy not to worry about it when it doesn’t directly affect your family,” Christine said. “But vaccination is a simple and easy way to protect my son.”
