Colorado health officials said Thursday the state has now recorded its seventh pediatric influenza-associated death this season, a child younger than 5 who lived outside the Denver metro area. It is another grim marker in what has become one of Colorado’s most severe respiratory-virus seasons in years, with hospitals straining under the combined weight of flu, RSV and COVID‑19 patients.
As reported by Colorado Public Radio, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s viral respiratory dashboard shows seven influenza-associated pediatric deaths so far this season. The same state data list one pediatric RSV death in southern Colorado and one pediatric COVID‑19 death in the Denver area, bringing the total pediatric respiratory-virus death toll to nine. State health officials told Colorado Public Radio that the newly reported child was under age 5, and Dr. Shen Nagel said, “the majority of these deaths would be vaccine-preventable.” Dr. Edwin J. Asturias added that influenza, COVID‑19 and RSV “can be serious and even fatal for children.”
Low Vaccination Rates Leave Children Exposed
Vaccination coverage in Colorado remains well below public-health goals. State immunization data show roughly 31% of residents have received a flu shot this season, and about 36% of children ages 6 months to 9 years are vaccinated, a pattern highlighted by reporting from The Colorado Sun. Public-health officials say those low rates leave many young children vulnerable to severe illness.
Nationwide Toll And What The CDC Says
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported this week that the nationwide total of influenza-associated pediatric deaths for the season has reached 139, and noted that roughly 85% of those children were not fully vaccinated against the flu, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surveillance data. The CDC has classified the pediatric age group as experiencing high severity this season, underscoring the broader risk to children across the country.
Colorado Hospitals And The Local Picture
On the ground in Colorado, that risk has translated into packed hospital wards. The state saw record numbers of flu hospital admissions over the holidays, more than 800 in a single week, and flagged 858 flu hospitalizations during the holiday period, according to Colorado Public Radio. Pediatric intensive-care units in some regions reported high demand during the peak weeks, and clinicians warn that late vaccination or delayed treatment can make already bad outcomes even worse.
How Parents And Caregivers Can Act Now
Health officials are urging parents not to wait. They recommend that children 6 months and older be kept up to date on seasonal flu vaccination and that families seek care quickly if they notice worrisome symptoms. The CDC advises vaccination for everyone 6 months and older and notes that antiviral medicines can reduce complications when started early. State resources and clinic lists are available through the CDPHE website, with federal guidance from the CDC. Parents with concerns are encouraged to contact their child’s doctor or local health department for advice about testing and treatment.
