ATLANTA (Gray News) – More than half of the cases of flu this season are hitting children and adults under 25, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday.
“This has resulted in high levels of outpatient illness, but lower levels of hospitalization and death due to influenza,” CDC said.
The CDC estimates that so far this season there have been at least 15 million flu illnesses, 140,000 hospitalizations and 8,200 deaths from flu.
A total of 54 children have died so far this season. Fifteen more have died since last week’s report.
Flu was widespread in Puerto Rico and 48 states. In Oregon, Hawaii, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the outbreaks were less active.
Flu shots are recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older.
It takes about two weeks after you get your vaccination for antibodies to develop and provide protection against the flu.
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