NC child dies from flu complications; officials urge everyone to get vaccinated

NORTH CAROLINA — A child in North Carolina has died from flu complications, health officials said.

While they couldn’t provide information about the child’s age, gender, or hometown, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services said the child was from the eastern part of the state.

South Carolina reported its first pediatric flu death on Monday. It’s the first pediatric death in North Carolina this season and the first since February 2020.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to this child’s family on this heartbreaking and tragic loss,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Zack Moore.

This season, North Carolina has reported five adult flu-associated deaths.

“Flu vaccination is the most effective protection against flu,” Dr. Moore said. “There is still time to protect yourself and your loved ones this flu season. If you haven’t gotten your flu vaccine yet, now is the time.”

In recent weeks, the state has seen a rapid early rise in flu cases after two years of relatively low flu activity since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The trend is similar to what is being seen nationally, the NCDHHS said.

On Thursday, Pfizer and BioNTech announced they will begin testing a combination vaccine for COVID-19 and the flu. Read more here.

(WATCH BELOW: First flu-related death reported in South Carolina, officials say)