More U.S. children died this flu season than at any time since the swine flu pandemic 15 years ago, according to a federal report released Friday.
The 216 pediatric deaths reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eclipse the 207 reported last year. It's the most since the 2009-2010 H1N1 global flu pandemic, CBS News reported.
The CDC estimated overall at least 47 million illnesses, 610,000 hospitalizations and 26,000 deaths from flu so far this season.
New York State also recorded its most deadly flu season for children this past year, with state health officials reporting the highest number of pediatric deaths linked to influenza ever recorded between October and May, AM NY reported.
Figures from the state Health Department state, as of April 26, found that 25 children across the state died of a flu-related illness this past influenza season, two of which occurred in the week of the report. In New York City, 10 pediatric flu deaths have been reported this season, according to the city’s Department of Health data up to April 19.
Health officials are continuing to urge New Yorkers to get vaccinated annually, typically starting in September when the vaccine becomes available.
“The best protection for these little ones is for all those around them to be up to date with the flu vaccine,” said New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald, noting that of the 25 deaths, only one child was vaccinated, the news agency reported.
