New York Sees Record Number of Child Flu Deaths

By Y.M. Lowy

This past flu season hit young children especially hard in New York, with 25 flu-related deaths reported, the highest the state has ever seen. Nationwide, the number reached 216, making it the worst year for pediatric flu deaths in over a decade.

Some of the children who passed away were too young to get the flu shot. Of the 25 cases in New York, only one child had been vaccinated, and five were under six months old, which is below the age limit for the vaccine.

State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said that rising vaccine hesitancy has made things worse.