NewsLocal News

Actions

Colorado reports second child flu death of the season

Posted at 4:29 PM, Feb 05, 2020
and last updated 2020-02-05 18:30:43-05

DENVER — Colorado health officials reported on Wednesday the second pediatric flu death of the season.

The child was preschool-aged and died in southern Colorado, according to a report from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

The department was not able to provide records that show whether the child was vaccinated against influenza. Officials declined to share any other details about the death due to privacy concerns.

Since the end of September, 1,735 people have been hospitalized because of flu in Colorado and the state is considered to have widespread flu activity.

Nationwide, 68 children had died of flu this season, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Health officials said it’s not too late to get a flu shot. Children who are younger than 9 who are getting the vaccine for the first time, and those under 9 who have only previously gotten one dose of the vaccine, should get two doses. The first dose should be given as soon as the vaccine becomes available. The second dose should be given at least 28 days after the first dose, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.