NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — New Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data showed a huge drop in child flu vaccinations in Tennessee. Health officials called the concerning.
The CDC reported that child vaccination rates have dropped by nearly half. Only 26% of children in the state have gotten their flu shot for this season, compared to the 41% vaccinated last year at this same time.
In September, the agency also said the total number of pediatric deaths reached 200 last flu season, which is the highest reported for a non-pandemic year. Local health officials tell me they’re closely monitoring the numbers.
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“It’s concerning for us. We’re seeing the start of our flu season now and we’re already seeing a lot of hospitalizations,” Dr. James Antoon, assistant professor of pediatrics at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, told News 2. “Getting vaccinated for the flu decreases the chances that you’re going to have flu with symptoms. If you do get the flu, it’s going to be less severe than it otherwise would have.”