COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) announced that the state has suffered its first pediatric flu-related death of the season.
“We regret having to report the death of a child in the Midlands Region from complications due to the flu. We extend our condolences to the family,” said Dr. Linda Bell, State Epidemiologist and DPH’s director of the Health Programs Branch. “We’ve seen widespread flu activity across the state over the past several weeks, with an increase in flu cases and hospitalizations. It’s critical that everyone in South Carolina get their flu shots as well as updated vaccines for other respiratory illnesses, including COVID and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.”
DPH recommends that you talk with your and your child’s provider about which vaccines are appropriate for you and your family.
The best protection against the illness is the flu shot. DPH and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that everyone 6 months of age and older who is eligible get vaccinated. It takes about two weeks for the body to build up protection after getting the flu vaccine, so it’s important to get vaccinated soon to prevent more illnesses since flu has already spread widely in South Carolina and other states.
The flu vaccine is available from many providers. In addition, there are treatments available that can decrease the duration and severity of flu symptoms, but they are most effective when started as soon as symptoms begin, or a person knows they have been exposed to the flu.
