Oklahoma County reports state's first child flu death
Oklahoma public health authorities reported Thursday the season's first pediatric death from influenza. The child was an Oklahoma County resident between the ages of 5 and 17.
“Young children are among those most at risk for serious illness and death from influenza, so healthy individuals who get a flu shot are helping to protect those who cannot take a flu shot, including infants under the age of 6 months,” said Gary Cox, Oklahoma City-County Health Department executive director.
The state Health Department's weekly flu activity update shows the child and five adults age 50 and older died from flu complications since last week's report, bringing to 31 the total deaths since flu season began Sept. 1.
The flu continues to be widespread across Oklahoma. This week's report shows 1,244 flu-associated hospitalizations so far this season, an increase of 337 from last week.
Public health officials say the number of hospitalizations and deaths will increase as the flu season continues through May. A flu shot is encouraged for anyone older than 6 months who hasn't received one.
Cox said the city-county health department has given more than 7,000 flu vaccine doses this season. Statewide, county health departments have given nearly 40,000 doses of flu vaccine.
“It's not too late to get a flu shot,” said state Interim Commissioner of Health Tom Bates. “At the beginning of the flu season, we made a strategic decision to offer the vaccine at no out-of-pocket cost in effort to lessen the financial burden for those in our communities. We still have an adequate supply of vaccine for our county health departments.”
The free flu shots are offered at all county health department sites. Even if you come down with the flu after getting the vaccine, your illness will be milder than if you had not received the vaccine, officials said.
People with flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, fatigue and chills are encouraged to stay home until they are fever-free for 24 hours.