Flu deaths among children are at a record high

It’s a jarring statistic: During the 2023-2024 flu season, there were 200 pediatric flu-related deaths. This is a new record, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

About half of flu-related deaths were among children who were considered healthy and had no known medical conditions.

“Because it’s so common, the influenza virus is often underestimated,” explains Dr. Khin Khin Bremer, a pediatrician at Advocate Children’s Hospital. “Parents tend to worry more about their child becoming sick with other illnesses, but the flu and its associated complications can be very serious.”

Children with underlying conditions are more likely to become extremely sick from the flu and develop complications, including bronchitis, pneumonia, or respiratory failure.

Dr. Bremer says the best line of defense is vaccination. But in many cases, children are not getting a flu shot. The CDC reports that 80% of children who died during the 2023-2024 flu season were not fully vaccinated.

“Last year, flu vaccination reduced the risk of flu-related hospitalization by about half and medical visits related to the flu by nearly 66%. Those numbers mean fewer days of missed school and work, less frequent doctor visits and far healthier children,” Dr. Bremer says.

There is a common misconception that the flu vaccine causes illness. However, Dr. Bremer says that is not the case since the shots contain inactivated viruses. You may experience side effects from the vaccine, which can include headache, fever, fatigue, muscle aches and injection site soreness.

“The flu vaccine is recommended for children over 6 months of age,” says Dr. Bremer. “It’s especially  recommended for those who are more likely to become very sick,  young children and those with asthma or chronic lung disease. If your child is eligible for vaccination and has not yet had their flu shot, I highly recommend they receive it as soon as possible. It can significantly reduce the severity of illness and even save lives.”

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