194 Pediatric Influenza Fatalities Surpass Previous Flu Seasons

As the United States enters another flu season, looking back at previous data highlights why vaccinations are essential to protecting children.

In the FluView Key Updates for Week 33, ending August 17, 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) disclosed that 194 influenza-associated pediatric deaths were confirmed during the 2023-2024 flu season.

This data exceeds the National Center for Health Statistics Mortality Surveillance (NCHS) data reported for the previous three flu seasons: 186, 49, and 1.

These flu-related pediatric deaths generally peak around week #52, the Christmas holiday season, when schools are closed and families gather.

From a city perspective, the Walgreens Flu Index publishes market-specific information regarding last season's flu activity.

As of Walgreen's last report (04/27/2024), the three leading cities reporting populations experiencing the highest incidence of flu activity were located in Texas:

1. El Paso, Texas (Las Cruces, N.M.)
2. Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen, Texas
3. Corpus Christi, Texas

At the state level, the Texas Department of State Helath Services reported good news for the 2023-2024 Influenza Season. No pediatric (under 17 years of age) deaths were related to influenza.

Unfortunately, about 18% of young people in Texas received a flu shot last season.

While the 2024-2025 flu shots have changed their composition, access to them has not.

“Vaccination is the number one way to protect against respiratory illnesses. We know immunizations can often fall off the to-do list. Still, it’s important for everyone to take the time to get all recommended vaccines this fall..... schedule an appointment today," commented Samantha Picking, Walgreens Director of Immunizations, on August 22, 2024.

Walgreens stated that pharmacies are the cornerstone and front door to healthcare for many Americans and continue to serve as the most convenient, trusted, and accessible place for people to get the prevention, testing, and treatment they need throughout respiratory illness season.

Physician offices and pharmacies have already received shipments, and many offer digital vaccination appointment scheduling. During this flu season, physicians, nurses, and pharmacists can provide patients with up to nine trivalent influenza vaccines. 

As of August 2024, the CDC says most flu shots will be thimerosal-free or thimerosal-reduced vaccine (91%), and about 21% will be egg-free.

Last season, over 37 million doses were administered in retail pharmacies, and physicians' medical offices administered an estimated 25 million flu shots.

In 2024, the CDC's Vaccines For Children program funded most pediatric vaccinations for children aged six months to 17 years.