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Influenza is responsible for as many as 50,000 deaths annually in the U.S. Although most deaths are in adults, particularly the elderly, children also are at risk for severe disease and death. Influenza vaccine is recommended for all children aged 6 months and older.
From 2004 through 2012, 830 pediatric influenza-related deaths were reported from all 50 states to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The number of deaths ranged from 35 in 2011–2012 to 282 in 2009–2010. Median age of pediatric death was 7 years, and 78% of infections were due to influenza A. More than half (57%) of deaths were in children with identified high-risk conditions, including neurologic (33%), pulmonary (26%), and cardiac (11%). Most children died within …