A record number of children in the United States died from the flu last year, yet vaccination rates continue to plummet. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest report published Wednesday, Dec. 11, 37% of kids have gotten flu shots this season. That’s down significantly from the 43% who’d got the shot at the same time last year.
Kids’ flu vaccination rates have been decreasing for a while. During the 2023-2024 flu season, only 55% of kids got the shot, the lowest rate in 12 years.
In that season, 205 children reportedly died from the flu. However, the CDC says the toll was likely much bigger since not all children who die are tested for the flu. The CDC estimated that around 724 children died from the flu last year.
This year’s flu shot covers the two main strains of the virus circulating so far, H1N1 and H3N2.
