Flu Season Turned Fatal Last Week

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, influenza-related deaths increased during week #47.

As of December 1, 2023, the CDC's Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report confirmed five additional influenza-associated pediatric deaths occurring during the 2023-2024 flu season were reported to CDC last week.

The CDC's FluView has now reported a total of 8 influenza-associated pediatric deaths.

These new deaths occurred between October 28 and November 25, 2023.

Two pediatric deaths were associated with influenza A(H1N1) viruses, and three were associated with influenza B viruses with no lineage determined.

The vaccination status of these children was not disclosed.

Overall, the weekly flu-related deaths that occurred during weeks #45 (52), #46 (38), and #47 (21) were updated.

Of the deaths reported by the National Center for Health Statistics from October 2022 to September 9, 2023, 9,697 (4%) were listed as influenza. 

As we enter the month of December, the CDC recommends that everyone six months and older get an annual flu vaccine, as there are still vaccines available at clinics and pharmacies.

As of November 18, 2023, about 151 million flu shots had been distributed in the U.S.

People can choose from up to nine different influenza vaccines (nasal, egg, cell-based) for the 2023-2024 flu season.