12 Additional Children Died from the Flu

As the 2024-2025 flu season comes to a close, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported some alarming news in their weekly FluView, Key Updates for Week 17.

Twelve additional children have died from influenza, bringing the total number of influenza-related pediatric fatalities to 216, which surpasses last season's total of 207.

In terms of the specific types of influenza, ten of the deceased children had influenza A, while two were affected by influenza B. Further analysis revealed that the H1N1 strain caused eight deaths, and four were attributed to the H3N2 strain.

Furthermore, the CDC has classified this flu season as a high-severity season overall and for all ages, the first high-severity season since 2017-2018.

And based on data from FluSurv-NET, the cumulative hospitalization rate for this season is the highest observed since the 2010-2011 season.

As of May 2, 2025, the CDC recommends that everyone ages six months and older get an annual flu vaccine as long as influenza viruses are circulating. This advice applies explicitly to those traveling to the Southern Hemishpere, where flu season is just beginning.

Various flu shots remain available at most pharmacies in the U.S.