Flu claims two younger lives in Virginia amid low vaccination charges
The Virginia Division of Well being experiences two kids have died from the flu, marking the primary pediatric flu deaths of the winter season. FOX 5’s Josh Rosenthal has the story.
The Virginia Division of Well being reported Monday that two kids have died due to the flu.
First pediatric deaths of flu season
The backstory:
They’re the primary two influenza-associated pediatric deaths of the 2024-2025 flu season, officers stated.
“With a heavy coronary heart, the Virginia Division of Well being mourns the lack of two younger lives. Our sympathies exit to the households throughout this troublesome time,” State Well being Commissioner Dr. Karen Shelton stated in a press release.
“These losses are a tragic reminder that whereas flu is widespread, it may be related to critical sickness and even demise.”
Well being Division officers stated that one of many deaths occurred in Virginia’s Japanese Area and concerned a younger school-aged youngster, that means 5 -12 years outdated.
They stated the opposite demise occurred within the Central Area of Virginia and concerned a young person.
Low flu vaccination charges in Virginia
What they’re saying:
Officers additionally identified that vaccination protection stays low within the Commonwealth for each kids and adults, including that solely 30 p.c of eligible Virginians reported receiving a flu vaccine this season.
Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious illness knowledgeable on the Johns Hopkins Heart for Well being Safety, stated the low vaccination charge was not a shock.
“We all know nationally that charges of vaccination for influenza and different vaccines have all fallen off post-Covid, that individuals have develop into vaccine hesitant, that they’ve develop into complacent, and we all know that with regards to pediatric influenza deaths, one of many predictors is being unvaccinated,” Adalja advised FOX 5. “So, once we see kids die from influenza, usually they’re unvaccinated.”
It’s unclear whether or not that was the case with the 2 current Virginia deaths.
Nonetheless, state officers are urging Virginians to get vaccinated, wash their arms, cowl up coughs and sneezes, and keep dwelling once they really feel sick.
The Supply: The knowledge on this story comes from the Virginia Division of Well being.
