The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported the first pediatric influenza deaths of the new flu season.
The two deaths were documented in CDC's "Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report."
The deaths occurred the week ending October 12. CDC notes that one death was associated with an influenza A virus for which no subtyping was performed and one death was associated with an influenza B/Victoria virus.
The latest CDC FluView report, for the week ending October 19, indicated that while seasonal influenza activity in the United States increased slightly, it remains low. About 1.7% of visits to a healthcare provider were for influenza-like illness. While such illness is higher than the previous week, it remains below the national baseline of 2.4%. Louisiana and Puerto Rico are experiencing high influenza-like illness activity. While a majority of the country is reporting sporadic or local flu activity, the viruses are widespread in Maryland and regional in Louisiana.
We may now be in influenza season, but it's not too late to get your flu shot. The CDC recommends that everyone six months of age and older should get an influenza vaccine every season with rare exception.
Concerning when to get vaccinated, CDC states the following:
"Because the timing of the onset, peak and end of flu seasons varies from year to year and cannot be predicted, it is difficult to say when is the best time to be vaccinated for any one season. In trying to balance the need to get many people vaccinated before flu activity begins with concerns about potential waning of vaccine-induced immunity during the flu season, CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommend that vaccination be offered by the end of October.
"Children six months through eight years of age who need two doses should receive their first dose as soon as possible after the vaccine becomes available to allow the second dose (which must be administered at least four weeks later) to be received by the end of October.
"For people who need only one dose for the season, vaccinating early – for example, in July or August –may lead to reduced protection against flu later in the season, particularly among older adults. While vaccination should optimally occur before the onset of flu activity in the community, providers should continue to offer and encourage vaccination as long as flu viruses are circulating and unexpired vaccine is available. To avoid missed opportunities for vaccination, vaccination can be offered during routine health care visits and hospitalizations."
CDC, ACIP and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) recommend that all U.S. healthcare workers get vaccinated annually against influenza.
To find a flu clinic near you, click here.