New york: Flu infections have continued to climb across the US, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimating at least 15 million illnesses, 180,000 hospitalizations, and 7,400 deaths so far this season. CDC data released Friday shows a 10-year high in the rate of young children visiting doctors for flu-related symptoms.
According to Anadolu Agency, more than 18% of doctor visits for children under age 4 are now flu-related, the highest rate since at least 2016. Anne Zink, an emergency medicine physician who works with Yale's PopHIVE tracking platform, expressed concern about the increase in sick children, noting crowded emergency rooms and insufficient seating in hospital lobbies.
About 7.2% of all health care visits are now for flu-like illness, defined as a fever with cough or sore throat, setting a record for this time of year as per the CDC. This week, eight more pediatric flu deaths were reported, bringing the total to 17 this season. Last year saw 289 child fatalities from the flu, with a significant majority being unvaccinated.
CDC epidemiologist Carrie Reed highlighted the widespread nature of influenza currently, predicting elevated levels for a while longer. The majority of infections are linked to a new H3N2 subvariant called subclade K, which has been circulating globally since summer, leading to spikes in countries like Canada and Japan.
As of December 27, only 43.5% of U.S. adults and 42.5% of children had received a flu vaccine, despite ongoing public health recommendations. Doctors continue to advocate for vaccinations, emphasizing that the current vaccine provides protection against severe illness, even if not fully matched to the dominant strain.
Dr. Michelle Morse, acting health commissioner for New York City, cautioned that the situation remains serious, though some early signs of stabilization have been noted in the city. The rising number of cases coincides with controversial Trump administration recommendations that downplayed the necessity of many vaccinations, a stance criticized by public health advocates for being contrary to scientific evidence.
In a recent interview, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy, Jr., a known vaccine skeptic, suggested that fewer children receiving the flu vaccine might be beneficial, a statement that has sparked further debate.