Influenza-related deaths fell 83 kids last season
Most fatal cases not vaccinated
In a flu season that saw everything from mismatched vaccine to emergence of antiviral resistance, we add this grim footnote: 83 children died.
As of June 19, 2008, 83 deaths associated with influenza infections that occurred among children younger than 18 years old during the 2007-2008 influenza season were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.1 The deaths were reported from 33 states. Some of them were associated with cobacterial infections, but the bottom line is that more kids of all ages must receive the seasonal flu vaccine. Of the 63 cases at least 6 months old for whom vaccination status was known, 58 (92%) had not been vaccinated against influenza according to the 2007 Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations, the CDC stated.
In February 2008, ACIP voted to expand influenza vaccination recommendations to include all children aged 5 to 18 years, beginning with the 2008-2009 influenza season, if feasible, but no later than the 2009-2010 influenza season. The influenza vaccine supply is projected to be abundant for the upcoming influenza season in the United States with ample doses available for implementation of the new pediatric influenza vaccination recommendation. Continued efforts, however, are needed to improve influenza vaccination coverage among children aged 6 months through 4 years, an age group at high risk for influenza-related complications and hospitalization, the CDC noted.
Health care providers should offer vaccination, whether individually or through mass campaigns, soon after the 2008-2009 vaccine is available. All children aged 6 months through 8 years who previously have not received influenza vaccine should have their first dose administered as soon as the vaccine is available to allow time for a second dose before or shortly after the onset of influenza activity in their community. Influenza activity in the United States rarely peaks before November, and activity has peaked in January or later in 20 (80%) of the previous 25 influenza seasons. Thus, vaccine administered in December or later is likely to be beneficial during most influenza seasons, the CDC advised.
Reference
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Influenza Activity — United States and Worldwide, 2007-2008 Season. MMWR 2008; 57(25):692-697. Available at www.cdc.gov/mmwr.
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