Key Points:
- Pediatric flu cases are rising, causing 280 deaths.
- Most affected children (84%) were unvaccinated.
- CDC urges annual flu shots for kids six months and older.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a significant rise in severe pediatric flu complications among children during the 2024-25 flu season. Officials said 109 children were diagnosed with acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) and other influenza-associated encephalopathies, rare but dangerous conditions that cause brain inflammation.
This increase comes as the nation recorded 280 pediatric flu deaths last year, the highest since the 2009-10 H1N1 pandemic. The CDC data highlights both the seriousness of influenza and the need for preventive measures.
Link to vaccination rates
The report showed that 84% of children who developed influenza-associated encephalopathy were not vaccinated. Medical experts stressed that while the flu vaccine does not guarantee complete protection, it reduces the risk of severe complications.
“We recommend the vaccine for everyone,” said Dr. Buddy Creech, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. “It remains our most effective tool to protect children from dangerous flu outcomes.”
Dr. Molly Wilson-Murphy, a pediatric neurologist at Boston Children’s Hospital, said doctors have observed more children experiencing serious brain inflammation linked to the flu. “We don’t know in real numbers if this is an increase, but being a physician who cares for these patients, I was certainly struck that this was an increase,” she said.
Public health guidance
The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases and the CDC continue to emphasize the importance of annual flu vaccination. The CDC recommends that everyone six months and older receive the flu shot each year.
Despite these guidelines, vaccination rates among children have declined in recent years, which public health officials believe has contributed to more severe cases. The CDC noted that flu vaccines not only reduce the chance of illness but also lower the risk of hospitalization and death when infections occur.
Parents are urged to consult with pediatricians ahead of flu season and ensure children receive recommended immunizations. Health experts warn that with flu activity increasing earlier in the year, delays in vaccination could leave children vulnerable to serious pediatric flu complications.
Background on flu severity
The 2024-25 flu season has drawn comparisons to the H1N1 outbreak more than a decade ago, which resulted in widespread illness and pediatric fatalities. While ANE and similar conditions remain uncommon, the rise in reported cases highlights the unpredictable nature of pediatric flu and its potential severity.
The CDC continues to monitor pediatric flu outcomes nationwide. Officials said they will release updated guidance if the trend of severe complications continues.
