Declining flu vaccines lead to more child flu deaths

More children in the U.S. have died of flu this season, the highest rate since the 2009-2010 season when the swine flu pandemic occurred, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The 216 deaths reported so far this year surpassed the 207 reported last year. The number likely will climb, given that the flu season is not over and the CDC did not count the final pediatric death tally for the 2023-2024 flu season until the fall. A public health expert says one of the reasons for the climb in deaths is fewer children are receiving flu shots. About 64% of children received flu shots five years ago compared with 49% this season. (AP article, 5/2/25)