PIMA COUNTY, Ariz. — Two children in Pima County have died because of the flu virus, according to the Pima County Health Department. Neither child received the recent flu vaccination, state immunization records showed, the health department said.
The first child was elementary school-aged and died in February. Pediatrician records did not make any mention of previous health conditions. The second case was a teenage child who had a co-infection of influenza and bacterial pneumonia. The teen was hospitalized for over a month before dying in March. Both children had influenza B infections, the health department said.
The last pediatric flu death in Pima County was in May of 2023. The two deaths in Pima County bring the statewide pediatric death total to four, the health department said.
“The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against flu is to get the flu vaccine every flu season,” Pima County Health Department Director Dr. Theresa Cullen said. “The vaccine can prevent severe illness, can keep you out of the hospital, and can even be life-saving for small children. It’s not too late to get yours.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone ages six months and older get the flu vaccine every year, alongside everyday preventive measures like covering coughs and sneezes, staying away from people who are sick, and washing your hands often. To find out where you can get the flu shot near you, check out the Flu Vaccine Finder here.
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