Tejal Somvanshi
A child’s death from influenza in Kentucky has highlighted growing concerns about low vaccination rates and increasing respiratory illness cases across the state. The Kentucky Department for Public Health confirmed this was the state’s first pediatric flu death of the 2024-2025 season, noting the child had not received this season’s flu vaccine.
Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Department for Public Health, emphasized the severity of the situation. “Influenza is on the rise across Kentucky,” he said. “Unfortunately, viruses like influenza and COVID-19 are serious diseases that can be deadly to some people, including children. Vaccination is the best way to prevent severe illness and death.”
The numbers paint a concerning picture. In Jefferson County alone, flu cases jumped by nearly 3,000 in just one week, rising from 6,000 to approximately 9,000 cases. The county has recorded six flu-related deaths and at least 32 outbreaks in schools and daycare centers this season.
Vaccination rates remain troublingly low. Less than 17% of Kentucky children have received the current flu vaccine, while only 2% have gotten updated COVID-19 vaccines. This comes as the state also reported its first pediatric COVID-19 death of the season last month.
The impact on education has been significant. More than a dozen school districts in Kentucky and southern Indiana have temporarily closed or switched to non-traditional learning due to widespread illness. Jefferson County Public Schools implemented non-traditional instruction days after nearly 800 teachers reported they would be absent.
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Dr. Kris Bryant with the Louisville Health Department stressed the vaccine’s importance: “Flu vaccines help keep kids healthy. They reduce doctor visits for flu, emergency department visits for flu, and they reduce the likelihood that a child will end up in the hospital.”
Health officials urge parents to watch for severe symptoms including difficulty breathing, seizures, bluish lips or face, fever above 104 degrees, persistent cough, and dehydration. Schools are responding with enhanced cleaning protocols. JCPS spokesperson Carolyn Callahan confirmed crews are conducting deep cleaning of school buildings, focusing on high-traffic areas and frequently touched surfaces.
Parents can take immediate steps to protect their children. The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness advises keeping sick children home until they are fever-free for 24 hours without medication. For families without healthcare providers, the department offers vaccination appointments at school-based clinics and their Crittenden Drive location.
The CDC continues to recommend annual flu vaccinations for everyone six months and older. While the vaccine takes about two weeks to become fully effective, health experts emphasize it’s not too late to get protected, as flu outbreaks can persist for several weeks.
For those seeking vaccination, information about nearby locations is available at vaccines.gov.
