“We’ve seen something this year that we haven’t seen in probably 27 years, which is a noticeable increase in the number of influenza B infections early in the season,” Andi Shane, MD, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at Emory University School of Medicine and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, told WSJ.
The strain causes more severe illness in children because they have less exposure to the virus and, therefore, fewer antibodies.
This season, 53 percent of positive flu specimens tested in public health laboratories have involved children and adults under 25, according to the CDC’s most recent FluView update. The agency has also confirmed 68 pediatric flu deaths this season, 45 of which involved influenza B.
“At this time, the number of cases reported with complete vaccination status information is too low to calculate exact percentages,” an agency spokesperson told Becker’s via email. “Historically, around 80 percent of flu-associated pediatric deaths have occurred among children who were unvaccinated.”
The CDC said it’s too early to say whether this season’s flu shot is a good match for influenza B in its weekly flu update. The agency plans to publish data on vaccine efficacy later this month.
More articles on clinical leadership & infection control:
How this Kentucky hospital cut C. diff rates 59%
The nation’s top 22 patient-recommended hospitals
Suicide risk higher among nurses than general public
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.