(WWJ) Michigan health officials are reporting that a child from mid-Michigan has died from the flu.
It's the first flu-related death involving a child in the state this flu season. according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
The child was from Ingham County, officials disclosed, was confirmed to have contracted Influenza A/H3. No information about the child was released, including the child's age or hometown.
There have been 111 child deaths linked to the flu nationwide, according to the health department, which is urging Michiganders to get vaccinated against the flu.
Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive for MDHHS. says it's not too late to get your shot this season.
She stressed that the flu vaccine is safe, and is the best way to prevent getting the flu and can also keep you from getting really sick if you do catch it.
"Once children reach six months of age it is recommended they receive two doses of the flu vaccine for their first series," Bagdasarian said. "In addition, pregnant women should get the flu vaccine during each pregnancy. Flu vaccine can be given at the same time as other vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that since October there have been at least 25-51 million flu illnesses, 12-25 million flu medical visits, 280,000-630,000 flu hospitalizations and 18,000-56,000 deaths nationally.
Most positive influenza specimens confirmed by the MDHHS Bureau of Laboratories this flu season have been Influenza A/H3 virus. This virus can cause severe flu infections in children, as well as in adults.
The H3N2 strain is a component of the 2022-2023 seasonal flu vaccine, officials noted, so getting vaccinated provides extra protection.
Along with kids and pregnant women, health officials say the influenza vaccine is especially important for those at increased risk for complications from the flu — including people age 65 years and older, any anyone of any age with underlying medical conditions.
Currently, for the 2022-2023 flu season, the health department says only 33% of Michigan residents have been vaccinated against flu. According to data from the Michigan Care Improvement Registry, flu vaccine coverage among children ages six months through 17 years is more than 3% lower for the 2022-2023 flu season (18.8%) compared to the 2021-2022 flu season (22.2%).
To find flu vaccine near you, call your doctor or your local health department or visit Vaccines.gov.
For more information about the flu, visit Michigan.gov/flu.