Flu's Hidden Danger: Kids Under Five at Risk

Influenza remains a serious, often underestimated, health threat for children under five. What may seem like a simple fever can rapidly escalate into severe respiratory illness, necessitating hospital care. The NCDC has reported over 22,000 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases and more than 130 deaths in the first half of 2025, with a notable number of children requiring hospitalization. Globally, influenza virus positivity rates in South East Asia ranged between 10-30% in early 2025, highlighting widespread activity.

Unlike childhood diseases preventable by a few doses, influenza requires an annual vaccine due to the virus's constant evolution and waning immunity. The 2025 southern hemisphere vaccine, for instance, already includes new strains. However, a significant "loss to follow-up" occurs, with many children not returning for their booster shots. Data suggests only a third of children who start influenza vaccination return for their second dose the following season, leaving a substantial portion unprotected.

Young children are particularly vulnerable due to narrower airways, increasing their risk of complications like bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Globally, children under five account for approximately 20% of influenza-related hospitalizations and 15% of deaths annually. Ongoing communication from healthcare providers, reminders via digital health apps, and school-based vaccination drives can help combat missed doses. Pediatricians and parents must recognize influenza as a vaccine-preventable disease, emphasizing that prevention is an ongoing effort to protect children's health and their right to a disease-free childhood.