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139 Child Flu Deaths Highlight Vaccine Hesitancy in U.S.

4/15/2026

41 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. flu season is winding down, but 139 child flu deaths have been reported.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports most deaths involve unvaccinated children, underscoring vaccine hesitancy's impact.
This year's flu vaccine is 38–41% effective, while vaccination rates remain low.
As of mid-March, 48.5% of children had received the flu vaccine, down from previous years, with hesitancy about safety amplified by COVID-19.

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Story summary

The U.S. flu season is winding down, but 139 child flu deaths have been reported.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports most deaths involve unvaccinated children, underscoring vaccine hesitancy's impact.
This year's flu vaccine is 38–41% effective, while vaccination rates remain low.
As of mid-March, 48.5% of children had received the flu vaccine, down from previous years, with hesitancy about safety amplified by COVID-19.