Jackson, Miss. — The Mississippi State Department of Health confirmed Friday the first pediatric influenza death in Mississippi for the 2024-2025 flu season. A pediatric death is defined as the death of an individual under 18 years of age. The MSDH does not provide details of the specific age, gender, or location of the death out of respect and privacy for the family. The patient in this case had not received a flu vaccination for this season.

 

“Vaccination is the best protection against flu and the severe outcomes from flu infection,” says State Epidemiologist Dr. Renia Dotson, “All individuals six months of age and older are recommended to get an updated flu and COVID-19 vaccine this season.”

 

Including this death, there have been a total of 27 pediatric flu deaths reported in Mississippi since pediatric flu deaths became reportable in the 2008-2009 flu season.

 

Flu season typically peaks in January through March in Mississippi, and the flu shot usually takes up to two weeks to produce immunity. Flu shots for those 18 and under who are eligible for the Vaccines for Children program are available at County Health Departments. Insurance, Medicaid, and Children’s Health Insurance Program are also accepted for children’s flu shots. A list of all VFC providers can be found at msdh.ms.gov/vfc

 

Adults who are underinsured or uninsured and who meet certain high-risk criteria qualify for an adult flu vaccination at MSDH county health department clinics. Flu shots for insured adults are widely available through private physicians, pharmacies and retail centers.

 

While vaccination is the best protection against severe flu outcomes, there are other things residents can do to reduce the spread of flu whether they are vaccinated or not. These measures include:

 

— Covering your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.

— Staying at home when you or your children are sick.

— Washing your hands frequently and keeping them away from your face.

 

Individual flu cases are not reported to MSDH. The agency monitors flu activity through the ILI System, made up of healthcare providers in Mississippi who report the percentage of patients with flu-like symptoms to a statewide database. Providers participating in the system also submit respiratory samples for flu testing to the MSDH Public Health Laboratory. State health officials use this information to determine the presence and spread of flu throughout the state.

 

For more information on the flu, please visit our website at msdh.ms.gov/flu.