Prognosis
Flu Rates Surge Before Holidays as White Kids’ Shots Lag
- Black and Hispanic children see rise in uptake from last year
- Vaccine fatigue plays role in downturn, health officials say
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US health officials are struggling to address flagging influenza vaccination rates among kids that appear slowed primarily by decreases among White children.
While flu immunizations fell among White children from their levels a year ago, those among Black and Hispanic kids rose during the same time, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meanwhile, two more children died of the disease this week, bringing the season’s total to 14, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said Monday on a call with reporters.