New York children have been affected particularly hard by influenza this season, with 25 pediatric deaths reported in the state — the highest number ever recorded, health officials said Wednesday.
Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the total number of pediatric flu-related deaths across the nation in the 2024-25 season had surpassed the previous record for a nonpandemic year.
On Wednesday, New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said the situation is even more dire for young New Yorkers.
“Sadly, there were 216 pediatric deaths reported nationally by [the CDC] — the highest loss of young lives to the flu in 15 years,” McDonald said. “In New York State, 25 influenza-associated pediatric deaths have been reported this season, which is the highest recorded amount ever in New York.”
According to the state’s latest influenza surveillance report, the week ending April 26 marked the 20th consecutive week of widespread influenza activity reported this season.
That means more than half of New York’s counties — at least 32 out of 62 — are reporting ”increased or sustained” levels of lab-confirmed cases of the flu.
According to the data, which is provisional and subject to change, two children also died from the flu during that period, bringing the season’s total to 25.
Of those pediatric deaths, only one child had been vaccinated, while five were too young to receive the vaccine, McDonald said.
He reminded New Yorkers of the importance of vaccination and the dangers of misinformation, which he said has led to an increase in vaccine hesitancy and a decline in vaccination rates.
“Vaccines are the best protection we have, and do save lives, including the lives of very young children who are too young to receive certain vaccines,” according to McDonald.
“We live in a challenging time, where honest objective information is sometimes blurred by misinformation,” he added. “Therefore, it remains the department’s goal to continue to provide as much education and information as possible about flu and other vaccines that remain our best protection against many viruses and preventable diseases.”
https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/05/07/flu-children-ny-deaths-record-number/