Oregon health officials urge vaccination after two children die from flu

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Two children under the age of 17 are now dead after getting sick with the flu last week.

However, due to privacy concerns, the Oregon Health Authority is not providing details on where the kids lived or if they were vaccinated.

According to OHA, the deaths are the first caused by influenza this winter, an increase from last flu season, which saw no child deaths. Records show three children died from the virus during the 2022-2023 flu season and zero deaths were reported the two seasons prior, but the flu clamed the lives of four children during the 2019-2020 season.

Nationally, 200 children died from influenza during the 2023-2034 season, according to the Centers for Disease Control. 

Although OHA data shows no child flu deaths were recorded last season, the season before saw three deaths. None were reported the two seasons prior, but four children died from the virus during the 2019-2020 season.

This news comes as officials say flu season is peaking and the number of people hospitalized has nearly tripled what we saw this time last year.

"This season isn't over yet. In fact, it may not even be halfway over," said Dr. Paul Cieslak, Medical Director of Communicable Diseases and Immunizations at OHA's Public Health Division. "Although I will say that the number of positive tests we're getting suggests we may be peaking around now."

Dr. Cieslak added nearly 475 people have been hospitalized with the flu in the Portland area since October. Further, as flu hospitalizations rise, immunizations are down.

"Our vaccination rate this year to date is down about 4% from where we were last year," he noted. "We wish it were everybody getting vaccinated, everybody six months of age and older."

In fact, state immunization data shows roughly 26% of Oregonians are currently vaccinated for the flu, with rates dropping over the last four years.

This is a concern for those most vulnerable to the virus, according to Dr. Dawn Nolt with OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital.

"Really, influenza influences those at the extreme of ages; the very young and those who are older. Particularly, people who are 65 and older. That's the bulk of the hospitalizations," she said.

With flu season in full swing as children head back to school, medical experts urge everyone to do their part to keep kids safe.

"We need to wash our hands, cover our coughs, stay away from people who are visibly ill," Dr. Nolt added. "If you are sick yourself, keep away from other people. And certainly as we are seeing influenza rates rising so quickly, please get yourself protected by vaccinating those around you and yourself."