Kentucky child not vaccinated against influenza dies from flu

[cbabe]

https://www.alternet.org/flu-vaccine-2671117877/

Kentucky child not vaccinated against influenza dies from flu

Sarah Ladd, Kentucky LanternFebruary 08, 2025

A Kentucky child who was unvaccinated for influenza has died from the flu, the Kentucky Department for Public Health announced Friday.

This is the first pediatric flu death this season, according to the department. Nothing else about the child is known.

This comes as flu vaccination is down around the state, with 17% of Kentucky children receiving a flu vaccine this season, the department said.

Louisville health department officials said earlier Friday that nearly 3,000 children had tested positive for flu this week in Jefferson County, where fewer than 30% got their updated flu shot this season.

“Influenza is on the rise across Kentucky,” Dr. Steven Stack, Kentucky’s public health commissioner, said in a statement. “Unfortunately, viruses like influenza and COVID-19 are serious diseases that can be deadly to some people, including children. Vaccination is the best way to prevent severe illness and death.”

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(Hey rfk: more dead kids?)