CDC: Reported Flu Deaths in Children Surpass 100 for 2016-17, Help Keep Flu Out Of Schools!

CDC estimates that since 2010, flu-related hospitalizations among children younger than 5 years ranged from 7,000 to 26,000 in the United States.

A total of 101 flu-associated deaths in children occurring during the 2016-17 season have now been reported to CDC.

While full information on the vaccination status of these children is not yet available, in past seasons, between 80% and 85% of flu-associated pediatric deaths have occurred in children who had not gotten a flu vaccine that season.

CDC recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older. Influenza vaccination rates among children (6 months to 17 years) have been around 60% for the past several seasons.

Influenza-associated pediatric deaths became nationally reportable in 2004. Since that time, the number of deaths reported to CDC has ranged from 37 (2011-12 season) to 171 deaths (2012-13 season).

However, this is the first time since the 2014-15 season that the number of reported deaths has exceeded 100. During 2012-13 and 2014-15, influenza A(H3N2) viruses predominated as they have during the current season. H3N2-predominant flu seasons are typically associated with more severe outcomes for children and older adults.

A recent CDC study published in Pediatrics provides important confirmation that flu vaccination can prevent flu deaths in children. The study found that flu vaccination reduced the risk of flu-associated death by half (51%) among children with underlying high-risk conditions and by nearly two-thirds (65%) among otherwise healthy children from 2010 through 2014.

Among pediatric deaths during those seasons in children who were eligible for vaccination and who had been vaccinated more than 14 days prior to illness onset, only one in four had been vaccinated. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for vaccine-induced protection to set in so researchers excluded children who had been vaccinated more recently than 14 days prior to illness onset in this study.

While vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months and older certain people are known to be more vulnerable to serious flu complications, including children younger than 5 years and children of any age with certain long-term health problems, including asthma or other lung disorders, heart disease, or a neurologic or neurodevelopmental disorder.

For the 2016-2017 season, influenza-like-illness was at or above baseline for 17 consecutive weeks with activity peaking nationally in February. For the last 15 seasons, the average duration of a flu season by this measure has been 13 weeks, with a range from one week to 20 weeks.

Help Keep flu out of schools!

Educators can help slow the spread of respiratory illnesses like colds, enterovirus D68 and influenza (flu). 

Thousands of children younger than 5 years are hospitalized from flu complications every year. CDC estimates that since 2010, flu-related hospitalizations among children younger than 5 years ranged from 7,000 to 26,000 in the United States. Influenza causes more hospitalizations among young children than any other vaccine-preventable disease.

The single best way to protect against seasonal flu and its potential severe complications is for children to get a seasonal influenza vaccine each year. Flu vaccination is recommended for all children aged 6 months and older. Making healthy choices at school and at home can help prevent the flu and spreading flu to others.

Encourage children, parents, and staff to take the following everyday preventive actions[2 MB, 2 pages]:

• Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue away after use and wash your hands. If a tissue is not available, cover your mouth and nose with your sleeve, not your hand.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces or objects. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill.