CDC warns that US childhood flu deaths are rising as vaccination rates decline

The United States experienced one of the worst flu seasons on record for childhood mortality in 2023-24, with nearly 200 children losing their lives to flu-related complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This troubling statistic coincides with a significant drop in vaccination rates, raising concerns among health officials.

The CDC reported that 199 children died during the 2023-24 flu season. This number matches that of the 2019-20 season and marks one of the highest totals in recent years. The worst flu season on record for child deaths was 2009-2010, during the H1N1 swine flu pandemic, when 288 children died.

Most of the children who died were eligible for the flu vaccine but had not received it. While the flu vaccine is not guaranteed to prevent infection completely, studies have consistently shown that it effectively reduces the risk of severe illness and death. “It’s heartbreaking because these deaths were preventable,” said Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Health officials now face a growing challenge in combating misinformation and vaccine hesitancy, which became widespread during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many families delayed or skipped routine visits to their doctors during the pandemic, missing opportunities to get vaccinated. CDC continues to recommend that everyone 6 months and older receive the annual flu vaccine, particularly those at higher risk, such as children with asthma, neurological conditions, or obesity.

CDC data revealed that 158 ​​of the children who died were eligible for flu vaccine, and of those, 131 (83 percent) had not received all doses of the vaccine. Among the 189 deaths in which medical conditions were reported, 49 percent of the children had at least one preexisting condition that could have worsened their response to the flu virus.

By age group, 126 of the children who died were between 5 and 17 years old, while 73 were younger than 5. Young children, especially those younger than 5, are at higher risk for serious flu complications, such as bronchitis or pneumonia.

The rise in childhood flu deaths coincides with a worrying drop in flu vaccination rates. As of May 11, just over 53 percent of children between 6 months and 17 years of age had been vaccinated during the 2023-24 season. This is down from 56 percent the previous season, when there were 187 deaths, and significantly lower than the 62.4 percent vaccination rate recorded in 2020 before the pandemic.

The drop in vaccination rates is more pronounced in certain groups. Less than half of Black children received the flu vaccine, compared with more than 50 percent of white children and nearly 60 percent of Hispanic children. Children in rural areas were also less likely to be vaccinated: Less than 40 percent received the annual flu vaccine, compared with nearly 60 percent in urban areas and 54 percent in suburban areas.

How effective is the annual flu vaccine?

The flu vaccine is designed to target strains of the virus that circulated the previous year. While it does not completely prevent infection, it significantly reduces the risk of severe illness. A 2022 study found that the flu vaccine is particularly effective at reducing the most deadly forms of the disease.

“Many of these deaths could be prevented by vaccination,” said Dr. Adrienne Randolph, senior author of the study and an intensive care physician at Boston Children’s Hospital. She stressed the importance of parents vaccinating their children to protect them from the flu.

Beyond the immediate threat of death related to influenza, Dr. Randolph noted that children who suffer from severe respiratory illnesses like influenza may face long-term problems, such as prolonged absences from school and the potential for serious complications, particularly for older people and those with pre-existing conditions. Influenza claims tens of thousands of lives each year, so it is critical that everyone, especially vulnerable groups, are up to date with their vaccinations.

The CDC continues to urge parents to vaccinate their children annually against the flu, warning that the recent drop in vaccination rates could lead to even more preventable deaths in the future.