In 2017-2018, there were 171 flu-related pediatrics deaths in the United States.
Have you heard that the CDC is strongly recommending getting the flu vaccine before the end of October this year? We don't have a lot of time.
Last year, our youngest daughter was born in late December, right in the middle of a high-severity categorized flu season. Several “healthy” adults died from the flu right in our city—which made for a very scary flu season and a long winter at home with our newborn.
The CDC reported that last year in the United States, there were 171 flu-related pediatric deaths. In addition, CDC.gov stated: “During the 2017-2018 season, the percentage of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) was at or above the epidemic threshold for 16 consecutive weeks.”
At NuAngel, we stand behind the CDC and the AAP guidelines for fighting the flu and keeping your family healthy, so we'd like to share some helpful links with you:
CDC- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Flu Information for Parents of Young Children: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/parents/
Children and the Flu: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/children.htm
Advice for Caregivers: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/infantcare.htm
Key facts about Influenza: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm
High-risk Categories https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/high_risk.htm
Pregnant Women: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/pregnant.htm
Questions and Answers: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/faq/index.htm
2018-2019 Flu FAQ: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/faq/index.htm
AAP- American Academy of Pediatrics
Flu Vaccine Recommendations 2018-2019: https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/Pages/AAP-Issues-Flu-Vaccine-Recommendations-for-2018-2019.aspx
Importance of Vaccination after High Severity Season: http://www.aappublications.org/news/2018/09/03/flu090318
Prevention and Control
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/142/4/e20182367
As always, consult your physician for questions regarding the flu or flu vaccine. Together, we can help keep our families and community a little safer by decreasing the spread of the flu!
As for our family, we are vaccinated and are taking extra steps to keep germs away; such as frequent hand-washing, removing shoes at the door, and changing clothes after we have been in public areas. Don’t forget to wash (or wipe) backpacks, lunch boxes, purses, and jackets frequently, too!
How will your family fight the flu this year?
NuMama