Influenza-associated pediatric deaths--United States, September 2010-August 2011

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2011 Sep 16;60(36):1233-8.

Abstract

Influenza-associated pediatric mortality has been a nationally notifiable condition since October 2004. This report summarizes the 115 cases of influenza-associated pediatric mortality reported to CDC that occurred from September 1, 2010, through August 31, 2011. Deaths occurred in 33 states. Nearly half of the deaths (46%) occurred in children aged <5 years. Of the children who died, 49% had no known Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)-defined high-risk medical conditions, and 35% died at home or in the emergency department. Of the 74 children aged ≥6 months for whom vaccination data were available, 17 (23%) had been fully vaccinated. ACIP recommends that all children aged ≥6 months receive vaccination against influenza annually. These findings underscore the importance of vaccinating children to prevent influenza virus infection and its potentially severe complications. Health-care providers should develop a comprehensive strategy to increase vaccination coverage among children.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / isolation & purification
  • Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype / isolation & purification
  • Influenza B virus / isolation & purification
  • Influenza Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Influenza, Human / complications
  • Influenza, Human / drug therapy
  • Influenza, Human / mortality*
  • Influenza, Human / prevention & control
  • Male
  • Seasons
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Vaccination / statistics & numerical data

Substances

  • Influenza Vaccines