Kentucky child not vaccinated against influenza dies from flu

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Kentucky child not vaccinated against influenza dies from flu

A masked Dr. Steven Stack, the state’s public health commissioner, at a news conference in Frankfort in May 2020. (Photo by Sarah Ladd)

A Kentucky child who was unvaccinated for influenza has died from the flu, the Kentucky Department for Public Health announced Friday. 

This is the first pediatric flu death this season, according to the department. Nothing else about the child is known.

This comes as flu vaccination is down around the state, with 17% of Kentucky children receiving a flu vaccine this season, the department said. 

Louisville health department officials said earlier Friday that nearly 3,000 children had tested positive for flu this week in Jefferson County, where fewer than 30% got their updated flu shot this season. 

“Influenza is on the rise across Kentucky,” Dr. Steven Stack, Kentucky’s public health commissioner, said in a statement. “Unfortunately, viruses like influenza and COVID-19 are serious diseases that can be deadly to some people, including children. Vaccination is the best way to prevent severe illness and death.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months old and older

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and COVID-19 vaccines. 

“It is important for people who have not been vaccinated this season to get their updated influenza and COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible, along with other recommended immunizations, to protect themselves and others,” Stack said. Other steps people can take include washing hands with soap and water often, covering coughs and sneezes and staying home when sick. 

Most flu and COVID-19 cases involve mild illness, the department said. Some may experience serious symptoms including difficulty or fast breathing, seizures, bluish lips or face, fever higher than 104, cough that improves but then comes back or gets worse or dehydration.

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