New York State experienced its most deadly flu season for children this past year, with state health officials reporting the highest number of pediatric deaths linked to influenza ever recorded between October and May.
Figures from the state Health Department state, as of April 26, found that 25 children across the state died of a flu-related illness this past influenza season, two of which occurred in the week of the report. In New York City, 10 pediatric flu deaths have been reported this season, according to the city’s Department of Health data up to April 19.
The New York figures follow a nationwide trend that saw 216 children die from flu-related complications, the highest number in 15 years, according to figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The 2024-2025 season total exceeds the previous high reported for a regular, non-pandemic season, which was 207 during the 2023-2024 season.
New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said Wednesday, May 7, that the alarming figures come amid declining flu vaccination rates due to widespread misinformation about vaccine safety.
“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,” said Commissioner McDonald. “We live in a challenging time, where honest objective information is sometimes blurred by misinformation – 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.”
Health officials are continuing to urge New Yorkers to get vaccinated annually, typically starting in Sept. when the vaccine becomes available.
“The best protection for these little ones is for all those around them to be up to date with the flu vaccine,” said McDonald, noting that of the 25 deaths, only one child was vaccinated.
Children under six months of age are not eligible for flu shots, with five of the children who died this past year being too young to receive the vaccine, he added.
New York State reported geographically widespread influenza activity for the 20th consecutive week through April 26, with over 4,300 positive lab-confirmed cases that week alone. Hospitalizations and case counts declined from previous weeks, but the season has remained severe.
As of the week ending April 19, the city had also seen 142 influenza outbreaks in long-term care facilities. NYC saw a peak in confirmed influenza cases around early Feb., with close to 24,000 cases.
