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Regional epidemiologist warns of severe flu season with pediatric deaths in Massachusetts
Summary
Mikayla Petty said flu activity has spiked, with more severe pediatric infections and at least four pediatric deaths and 29 adult flu deaths reported in Massachusetts this season; she urged vaccination and respiratory precautions.
Mikayla Petty, regional epidemiologist and shared-service coordinator for the Greater Burrows Partnership for Health, told the advisory board Jan. 8 that current influenza activity has intensified across Massachusetts and has produced a higher-than-usual number of severe pediatric infections.
"We've had 4 pediatric deaths already this year, and 29 adult flu deaths in Massachusetts," Petty said, adding that the current strain shifted after the vaccine formulation was set and that vaccination still reduces the risk of severe disease.
Petty said two factors are driving the severe season: an imperfect vaccine-virus match for this year and relatively low vaccination rates, particularly among children. She urged residents to get vaccinated while supplies remain, to stay home when ill, to use respiratory precautions and to seek medical care if symptoms worsen.
Petty also announced the biweekly epidemiology update would be held next Tuesday for a more in-depth briefing.
The advisory board received the update as part of its routine public-health surveillance briefing and discussed messaging and outreach to encourage vaccination and care-seeking.
