Flu cases rising among kids as flu vaccine rates hit a decade-low

Even though a record number of kids died from the flu last year, the percentage of children going without flu shots continues to plummet, according to new CDC data.

Even though a record number of kids died from the flu last year, the percentage of children getting flu shots continues to plummet.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Wednesday that as of Nov. 30, just over a third of U.S. kids — 37% — had gotten flu shots, down from 43% at the same time last year.

The downward trend worries pediatricians who are starting to see an uptick in flu cases.

“I always have a little bit of dread when flu season is around the corner,” said Dr. Kristina Bryant, a pediatric infectious disease doctor at Norton Children’s in Louisville, Kentucky, “because children experience illness and suffering during flu season, and much of that can be prevented through vaccination.”

Just over half of kids, 55%, got the flu shot during the 2023-24 season, the lowest rate in 12 years, said Alicia Budd, head of the CDC’s domestic influenza surveillance team.

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/flu-cases-rising-kids-vaccine-rates-low-cdc-rcna177336

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