Report stresses importance of early flu vaccination for children

A report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlights the importance of children and teenagers receiving a seasonal flu shot by the end of October and prompt flu antiviral treatment for those who are hospitalized. Flu-associated medical visits and hospitalizations were similar in 2022-23 among children under age 5 but were higher for older children than for any season since 2016-17. Over half of pediatric hospitalizations for flu in 2022-23 occurred by November, compared with just 2%-7% during prior flu seasons since 2016. Fewer than two in 10 hospitalized children had received a flu vaccine, compared with 36%-42% in the prior seasons. Hospitalized children also were less likely to receive flu antiviral medication compared with seasons before 2020. (CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 10/13/23)