US child flu deaths highest in 15 years, Alabama doctor reacts

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – It’s an alarming report from the CDC. The United States has seen the most reported child flu deaths in 2025 (216) since the swine flu pandemic in 2009-2010, and there’s still seven months to go.

“Influenza deaths are preventable in so many cases, and so we just really hate to see numbers like this,” said Dr. Scott Harris, an infectious disease expert that serves as a State Health Officer with the Alabama Department of Public Health.

Dr. Harris acknowledges each death is a case-by-case basis, but he does see a correlation between the increase in deaths and a decrease in vaccinations.

“We know that this was not a great year for kids receiving influenza vaccination, that the rates are probably 15% or so lower among kids this year than they were last year, they were even higher back during COVID times, and we know that the flu vaccine is really effective,” Harris explained.

According to Harris, Alabama has seen two pediatric flu deaths this year so far compared to one in 2024. If you catch the virus, the protocol is similar to COVID.

“The main thing is to use common sense, talk to your doctor and stay home and away from other people so that you don’t give it to someone else,” Harris advises.

There is some good news according to data from the Alabama Department of Public Health. As of late April, flu cases made up less than half of a percent of ER visits in Alabama compared to the peak in January at almost eight percent. Those numbers typically rise again in the fall and winter months, so it’s best to prepare now.

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