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Two-Thirds Of U.S. Kids Left Unprotected

Despite the high number of pediatric flu-related deaths last year, fewer children are receiving flu vaccines. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only 37% of children had received their flu shot by November 30, a decline from 43% at the same time in 2023. This drop in vaccination rates is concerning as health experts are already seeing a rise in flu cases this season. Pediatricians worry that many children could suffer unnecessarily, as vaccination is the most effective means of preventing severe flu illness.

Flu vaccination rates had been slowly increasing prior to the pandemic but have failed to fully rebound since. In the previous flu season, just 55% of children received the flu shot, marking the lowest rate in 12 years. Health officials note that the flu season can be especially harmful for children, and vaccination provides crucial protection, even if it’s not fully effective. The flu shot this year targets two of the most prevalent strains, H1N1 and H3N2, which can both be dangerous for children.

While the vaccine’s effectiveness can vary, studies show that vaccinated individuals often experience less severe illness. Dr. Michelle Taylor, a pediatrician in Memphis, highlighted that even if children do contract the flu after vaccination, the shot significantly reduces the severity of their symptoms. However, the CDC’s preliminary data showed that the vaccine was only 39% effective in preventing hospitalizations for children under five this year, compared to 61% the previous year.

Last year, the flu season was notably deadly, with 205 pediatric deaths, the highest since before the pandemic. Experts attribute this high toll to a prolonged flu season and low vaccination rates. The CDC continues to urge flu vaccination for everyone aged six months and older, emphasizing that more than 80% of reported flu-related pediatric deaths last season involved children who were eligible for a vaccine but had not received one. Vaccination remains the most effective method to protect children from the flu and prevent serious illness and death.