At least 216 children died from influenza in the United States during the 2024-2025 flu season, the highest paediatric death toll in 15 years, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The season was classified as the first high severity season overall and for all age groups since 2017-2018.
The cumulative hospitalization rate was the highest observed since the 2010-2011 season, with an estimated 47 million illnesses, 610,000 hospitalizations and 26,000 deaths from flu. New York state reported 25 paediatric deaths, its highest ever recorded. Health commissioner Dr James McDonald noted that only one of those children was vaccinated, and five were under six months old, too young for the vaccine.
McDonald blamed misinformation for rising vaccine hesitancy and declining vaccination rates. CDC data show flu vaccination coverage among US children aged six months to 17 years fell from 63.7% in 2019-2020 to 55.4% in 2023-2024. Health experts link this trend to social media misinformation and actions by federal officials, including Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy, who cancelled a vaccine advisory meeting.
Hospital admissions for flu in children aged 5-17 surged 145% in January 2025, and many children suffered severe complications like pneumonia and organ failure. Dr Anita Patel of Children's National Hospital called it the most severe flu season in over a decade, with previously healthy children requiring ventilators.
