0
0
Pediatric hospital admissions for influenza have been on the rise across the United States since the beginning of the year, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Between January 4 and February 1, pediatric influenza-related hospital admissions saw a dramatic increase, particularly among patients aged 5 to 17 years, with numbers rising by 145 percent—from 959 to 2,348 admissions.
For the week ending February 1, flu-like symptoms accounted for 7.76 percent of all outpatient visits. This marks the highest level recorded since the third week of the 2009/2010 flu season, when the percentage reached 7.72 percent.
According to statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pediatric patients made up 33.3 percent of all influenza cases seen in emergency departments during this period. As of February 1, the 2024/2025 flu season has resulted in 57 pediatric influenza-related deaths.
Dr. Sean T. O’Leary, M.D., M.P.H., chair of the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases, emphasized the seriousness of this flu season. “Influenza comes around every winter. While there isn’t really such a thing as a ‘good’ influenza season—every year we see thousands of deaths and hospitalizations—seasons vary in severity from year to year, and this is a particularly severe season.”
Dr. O’Leary urged parents to ensure their children receive the flu vaccine. “The best thing a parent can do to protect their family from influenza is to make sure everyone gets vaccinated. It’s not too late for this season because we’re still seeing widespread circulation.”
As of February 28, CDC data indicates that 45.8 percent of children have received an influenza vaccine this season.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. For personalized health recommendations, consult a qualified healthcare professional.
