CDC flu report: 5 more children have died
The pediatric death toll from flu rose to 101 following reports of five more deaths as the season nears a close.
Across all ages, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 42.7 million people have gotten sick, 637,000 have been hospitalized and 59,600 have died this season.
During the week ending April 27, about 1.8% of outpatient clinic visits were for flu, marking the second consecutive week rates fell below baseline, according to CDC data.These rates were above baseline for 21 weeks.
H1N1 viruses were predominant from October into February, but a surge of H3N2 viruses beginning in late February contributed to what became the longest season in a decade. Flu still is widespread in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York.
The CDC and the Academy recommend everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated against the flu. Flu vaccine is 61% effective against medically attended influenza for children and 47% for the overall population, according to interim data from the CDC
This season, inactivated influenza vaccine has been the primary vaccine choice, while quadrivalent live attenuated influenza vaccine may be used for children who would not otherwise receive a vaccine, according to AAP policy.However, the AAP announced in March that it will not have a preference between the two vaccines next season.
