On Wednesday, Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) confirmed a pediatric death due to influenza. The otherwise healthy child died from the H3N2 strain of influenza A.
“It is always tragic to have to report a child dying, especially from flu,” said Dr. Bob England, director of Maricopa County Department of Public Health. “But as I’ve been talking about with our recent measles cases, no vaccine is 100 percent effective, and what protects us is not just the vaccine that we receive but the vaccinations of everyone around us. The more people we get vaccinated from these deadly diseases, the less chance they have of spreading.”
The CDC reported a few months ago that this year’s dominant strain is H3N2, a strain associated with more serious illness in children and older adults. In addition, the CDC reported that this strain had mutated, making this year’s vaccine less effective against this strain.
“The vaccine being less effective this year is precisely the reason why we all need to make sure we are vaccinated,” said Dr. England. “With the seriousness of the strain, having some protection can make the difference between life and death.”
This is the first pediatric death in Maricopa County this year. Last year, there was also a child who died. The numbers of adults who die from influenza are not individually reported to the state, but the average annual death toll from influenza estimated to be about 300 in Maricopa County.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months and older get the flu vaccine. As always, this year’s flu vaccine protects against at least three different flu viruses (in some vaccines, four); an H3N2 virus, an H1N1 virus and one or two influenza B viruses. The vaccine provides protection from hospitalization and death even when the strains are not a good match.
In addition to vaccine, protect yourself and others from getting the flu by being vigilant in good hygiene – avoid touching your mouth and nose, wash your hands frequently, cover your cough in your sleeve and stay home when you are sick. Residents who think they may have the flu and are at high risk for complications are urged to contact their healthcare provider (antiviral medications may help) but not to visit an overcrowded emergency department unless necessary.