LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed the first influenza-associated pediatric death in the state for the 2022-2023 flu season.
The health department reported in a news release on Thursday, February 23 that the victim was a child from Ingham County who contracted Influenza A/H3. According to the department, nationally, there have been at least 111 influenza-associated pediatric deaths reported during the current flu season.
State health officials strongly recommend that everyone six months of age and older get a seasonal flu vaccine.
“It’s not too late to get the flu vaccine,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive for MDHHS. “Once children reach six months of age it is recommended they receive two doses of the flu vaccine for their first series. In addition, pregnant women should get the flu vaccine during each pregnancy. Flu vaccine can be given at the same time as other vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that since October there have been at least 25 to 51 million flu illnesses, 12 to 25 million flu medical visits, 280,000 to 630,000 flu hospitalizations and 18,000 to 56,000 deaths nationally.
According to data from the Michigan Care Improvement Registry, only 33% of Michigan residents have been vaccinated for this season, with just under 19% of children ages six months through 17 years covered under the vaccine.
To find flu vaccine near you, call your health care provider, local health department or visit Vaccines.gov.
For more information about the flu, visit Michigan.gov/flu.
