(Douglas County, NE) -- The Douglas County Health Department reports this flu season’s first pediatric flu death.
DCHD says a pediatric death is defined as one in which the deceased is less than 18 years old, but they did not specify how old this child was. The CDC recommends that everyone six months and older get the flu vaccine, especially pregnant women, those 65 and those with a chronic disease. The health department says it is especially important for people who will be around infants less than six months old to be vaccinated.
“This is a tragic loss of life, and we urge all parents to vaccinate their children against influenza,” said Dr. Lindsay Huse, Health Director. DCHD says a typical flu season can last through the month of April, so it is not too late to get a flu shot.
The most recent information from the CDC reported 30 pediatric deaths in the United States this flu season. That does not include the Douglas County death. Douglas County also has confirmed one adult influenza-related death. The health department says adult flu deaths are not required by law to be reported, so they likely are under-reported.