Flu-Related Fatalities Increase Among Children

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today announced two additional influenza-associated pediatric fatalities were reported last week.

A total of 145 pediatric flu fatalities have been reported during the 2022-2023 season as of April 28, 2023.

The previous peak in pediatric fatalities was 199 during the 2019-2022 flu season before the COVID-19 pandemic closed society.

And based on National Center for Health Statistics Mortality Surveillance data available on April 27, 2023, about 7.5% of the fatalities during the week ending April 22, 2023 (week #16) were due to pneumonia, influenza, and/or COVID-19.

Most influenza viruses tested are in the same genetic subclade and antigenically similar to the influenza viruses included in this season’s influenza vaccine.

These flu shots remain available at most community pharmacies in the U.S.