Overview

• The 2024-25 flu season has claimed 216 pediatric lives nationwide, the highest number since the 2009-10 H1N1 pandemic.
• New York State reported a record 25 pediatric flu deaths, with only one of the deceased children vaccinated and five too young for the vaccine.
• Childhood flu vaccination rates in the U.S. have dropped to 49%, down from 64% five years ago, leaving more children vulnerable to severe illness.
• Health officials attribute declining vaccination rates partly to misinformation, which has fueled vaccine hesitancy among parents.
• The CDC continues to recommend annual flu vaccination for everyone aged six months and older to protect against severe outcomes and preventable deaths.