Kids' Flu Shots Plummet Amid Worst Flu Season in 20 Years

This flu season is marking its worst in at least two decades, with alarming statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicating 18 million Americans have been infected, leading to 230,000 hospitalizations and 9,300 deaths. Despite the severity, vaccination rates among children have seen a decline. As of January 3, only 42.5 percent of children aged 6 months to 17 years have received the flu shot, a slight decrease from the previous year's 44 percent.

The reduction in flu shots for children appears linked to updated guidance from the CDC, under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The agency now recommends flu vaccines for the general child population only for those considered "high risk" or after consultation with a healthcare provider. This shift contributes to a broader trend of decreasing vaccination coverage among children, with kindergarten vaccination rates also dropping for all reported vaccines in the 2024-2025 school year.

The current flu strain is concerning not only for its contagiousness but also for its severe symptoms, including prolonged fevers of 3 to 5 days and difficulty breathing. These symptoms can increase the risk of hospitalization, particularly for vulnerable groups like children and the elderly. Parents are urged by the CDC to seek immediate medical attention for children exhibiting severe symptoms such as trouble breathing, dehydration, or high fevers unresponsive to medication.