Flu Related Fatalities Increased Last Week

The U.S. National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Mortality Surveillance data available on March 14, 2024, indicates that 0.7% of the deaths that occurred during the week ending March 9, 2024 (Week 10) were due to influenza.

This percentage increased (≥ 0.1 percentage point change) compared to last week's data.

NCHS's data also confirmed that 13 influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported to the U.S. CDC during Week 10. The total number of pediatric deaths for the 2023-2024 flu season is now 116. 

As of March 17, 2024, the CDC continues to recommend that everyone six months and older get an annual flu vaccine as long as influenza viruses are spreading. Vaccination can still provide benefits this flu season.

Various egg, cell, and nasal flu shots remain available at most community pharmacies in the U.S.

The composition of flu vaccines is reviewed annually, and new flu vaccines are manufactured each year. For the 2024-2025 flu season, many countries are transitioning to trivalent flu vaccines.