280 influenza-associated pediatric deaths reported through Sept. 13, 2025, representing national rate of 3.8 per 1 million children<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter<\/b>
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TUESDAY, Sept. 30, 2025 (HealthDay News) — The 2024 to 2025 influenza season had a high number of pediatric influenza-associated deaths, with a national rate of 3.8 deaths per 1 million children, according to research published in the Sept. 25 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report<\/em>.<\/p>\n Katie Reinhert, Ph.D., from the CDC in Atlanta, and colleagues describe influenza-associated pediatric deaths during the 2024 to 2025 season.<\/p>\n The number of pediatric deaths reported during a single season since reporting of influenza-associated pediatric deaths began was highest in the 2024 to 2025 season, excluding the 2009 to 2010 influenza A[H1N1]pmd09 pandemic. The researchers found that 280 influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported through Sept. 13, 2025, representing a national rate of 3.8 deaths per 1 million children. The median age at death was 7 years; at least one underlying medical condition was reported by 56 percent of children who died. Overall, 86 percent of the deaths were associated with influenza A viruses. Of the children who died, 40 percent were treated with influenza antiviral medications. Eighty-nine percent of the 208 pediatric decedents with available data who were eligible for influenza vaccine were not fully vaccinated.<\/p>\n “Influenza can cause serious illness and death in children; therefore, preventing infection, particularly among those who have underlying medical conditions, can reduce influenza-associated morbidity and mortality,” the authors write.<\/p>\n