Health
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Flu Shots Crucial as Child Brain Inflammation Cases Rise
It’s that time of year again, when the crisp autumn air starts to bite and we begin to think about hunkering down. But as we prepare for cooler weather, a familiar worry also creeps in: flu season. This year, however, the conversation feels a little heavier, tinged with a heightened sense of concern, especially for parents.
We're hearing stories that are difficult to shake, like that of Christine Wear and her son Beckett. Beckett, just four years old, has already battled a rare but terrifying complication of the flu twice. His second bout with the flu led to acute necrotizing encephalopathy, or ANE, an inflammatory brain disease. Even after recovering, Beckett's energy has been slow to return, a stark reminder of how deeply the flu can impact a child's well-being. It’s heartbreaking to imagine a child, or any person, going through such a harrowing experience, especially when the cause is a virus we often dismiss as just a bad cold.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released data that underscores this concern. For the 2024-25 flu season, they identified 109 children diagnosed with influenza-associated encephalopathy, a serious complication where the flu virus affects the nervous system. What’s particularly striking is that a significant majority of these children, 84%, had not received their flu shot. This isn't just about a few isolated cases; reports from doctors on the ground indicate an anecdotal rise in children severely affected by flu-related brain inflammation. As Dr. Keith Van Haren, a pediatric neurologist and co-author of the study, puts it plainly, "Flu is dangerous for children, period."
It’s easy to think that only those with pre-existing health issues are at risk for severe flu complications. However, experts emphasize that this isn't the case. Many of the children diagnosed with these severe complications were previously healthy. This makes the decision about getting our annual flu shots even more critical, not just for our own protection, but for the protection of those around us, particularly the most vulnerable.
While the effectiveness of flu shots can vary, their primary benefit lies in significantly reducing the chance of severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Last year, the vaccine was found to be up to 78% effective in keeping kids and teens out of the hospital. Tragically, about 90% of the children who died from the flu last season had not been vaccinated. As pediatric infectious disease physician Dr. Buddy Creech reminds us, "It's a misnomer to think that only sickly kids get complications from the flu."
The reasons for declining flu shot rates are complex, encompassing vaccine hesitancy and challenges with accessing healthcare. But with the evidence showing the flu's potential for severe neurological impact, especially in children, and the clear benefits of vaccination in mitigating these risks, it’s a conversation we all need to have. It’s a simple, accessible step we can take to safeguard our communities. What more can we do to encourage widespread flu shot uptake and protect those who are most at risk?
We're hearing stories that are difficult to shake, like that of Christine Wear and her son Beckett. Beckett, just four years old, has already battled a rare but terrifying complication of the flu twice. His second bout with the flu led to acute necrotizing encephalopathy, or ANE, an inflammatory brain disease. Even after recovering, Beckett's energy has been slow to return, a stark reminder of how deeply the flu can impact a child's well-being. It’s heartbreaking to imagine a child, or any person, going through such a harrowing experience, especially when the cause is a virus we often dismiss as just a bad cold.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released data that underscores this concern. For the 2024-25 flu season, they identified 109 children diagnosed with influenza-associated encephalopathy, a serious complication where the flu virus affects the nervous system. What’s particularly striking is that a significant majority of these children, 84%, had not received their flu shot. This isn't just about a few isolated cases; reports from doctors on the ground indicate an anecdotal rise in children severely affected by flu-related brain inflammation. As Dr. Keith Van Haren, a pediatric neurologist and co-author of the study, puts it plainly, "Flu is dangerous for children, period."
It’s easy to think that only those with pre-existing health issues are at risk for severe flu complications. However, experts emphasize that this isn't the case. Many of the children diagnosed with these severe complications were previously healthy. This makes the decision about getting our annual flu shots even more critical, not just for our own protection, but for the protection of those around us, particularly the most vulnerable.
While the effectiveness of flu shots can vary, their primary benefit lies in significantly reducing the chance of severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Last year, the vaccine was found to be up to 78% effective in keeping kids and teens out of the hospital. Tragically, about 90% of the children who died from the flu last season had not been vaccinated. As pediatric infectious disease physician Dr. Buddy Creech reminds us, "It's a misnomer to think that only sickly kids get complications from the flu."
The reasons for declining flu shot rates are complex, encompassing vaccine hesitancy and challenges with accessing healthcare. But with the evidence showing the flu's potential for severe neurological impact, especially in children, and the clear benefits of vaccination in mitigating these risks, it’s a conversation we all need to have. It’s a simple, accessible step we can take to safeguard our communities. What more can we do to encourage widespread flu shot uptake and protect those who are most at risk?
