Tejal Somvanshi
San Diego County is facing a severe flu season, with three teenage deaths highlighting the virus’s deadly impact on young people. The latest death, a 14-year-old girl from southern San Diego County, occurred on January 22, following the deaths of a 17-year-old girl on January 5 and a 15-year-old boy on December 31, 2024. None of these teenagers had received flu vaccinations.
“These recent flu deaths among our youth are tragic and concerning as we head into what historically is the peak of flu season,” said Dr. Ankita Kadakia, interim public health officer. “The flu vaccine is the best protection against getting seriously sick and preventing death.”
The county is experiencing an unusually intense flu season. Last week alone, 4,142 new cases were reported – nearly six times higher than the 736 cases reported during the same period last year. Emergency departments are seeing a stark increase in flu-like symptoms, with 13% of visits now related to flu compared to just 3% during the same week last season.
Dr. Edmund Milder, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Rady Children’s Hospital, notes the severity of cases requiring hospitalization. “It can cause bad viral pneumonia by itself, even without a secondary bacterial pneumonia, and it can occasionally cause inflammation of the brain — encephalitis — so the flu can definitely cause you to need critical care,” he explained.
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The vaccination rate among San Diego County’s youth remains concerningly low, with about 80% of children ages 5 to 17 still unvaccinated this season. This is significantly below the national average, where 42% of children in this age group have received their flu shots.
The impact extends beyond teenagers. The county has recorded 73 total flu deaths this season, already surpassing last year’s total of 52 deaths and the yearly average of 30. Most victims were over 50 years old, with January alone accounting for 52 deaths.
Dr. Mark Beatty, the county’s assistant medical director for epidemiology and immunization, points out that this late-season surge in cases hasn’t been seen since the 2021-22 flu season. The situation mirrors a national trend, with 41 states reporting “very high” or “high” influenza-like illness activity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Health officials stress that it’s not too late to get vaccinated, even for those who’ve already had the flu this season. Different strains continue to circulate, with both A-type and B-type influenza identified in the recent teenage deaths. The vaccine is available at pharmacies and doctor’s offices, typically covered by insurance. For those without insurance, the county’s six public health centers offer free vaccination services.
Anyone seeking vaccination information can visit myturn.ca.gov or call 211 for details about nearby vaccination locations.
