First Pediatric Death of the Flu Season Reported in February, Hartford CC Residents Can Still Get Vaccine

The state Department of Public Health (DPH) announced the death of a child earlier this week from influenza.  This is the first pediatric death involving a Connecticut child during this flu season.

“Our hearts go out to the family of this child.  For confidentiality reasons, I can’t provide you with any additional details about this child’s illness”, said Commissioner Pino.  “I can, however, emphasize the importance of vaccinating children against influenza. In Connecticut, there have been reported 12 flu-associated pediatric deaths from the 2005-06 flu season through 2017-18 season.  Only two of these cases (17%) had evidence of current flu vaccination”.

The CDC recommends that Hartford CC residents who have not yet been vaccinated, do so now! It’s not too late and the vaccine is effective as long as influenza viruses are circulating.

Below is a list of Health Centers. We have not verified that each of these centers is still administering flu vaccines so it is very important that you call first.

NameLocationPhoneWebsite
Friendship Service Center Of New Britain241 Arch St, New Britain860-225-0211
Community Health Services At Windsor503 Windsor Ave, Windsor860-249-9625
Community Health Services500 Albany Ave, Hartford860-808-8703http://www.chshartford.org
Chc Of Middletown675 Main St, Middletown860-347-6971www.chc1.com
Community Health Center Of Middletown635 Main St, Middletown860-347-6971www.chc1.com
Community Health Center Of New Britain1 Lafayette St, New Britain860-224-3642www.chc1.com
Chc Of Hartford76 New Britain Ave, Hartford860-347-6971www.chc1.com
Community Health Services, Inc.500 Albany Ave, Hartford860-249-9625www.chshartford.org
Fchc Mobile Health Services94 Connecticut Blvd, East Hartford860-610-6183www.firstchc.org
First Choice Health Centers94 Connecticut Blvd, East Hartford860-528-1359WWW.FIRSTCHC.ORG
First Choice@92 Connecticut Blvd92 Connecticut Blvd, East Hartford860-610-6129www.firstchc.org
First Choice Health Centers3 Prospect St, Vernon Rockville860-896-1616WWW.FIRSTCHC.ORG
First Choice@94 Union Street94 Union St Fl 2, Vernon860-528-1359 x446www.firstchc.org
First Choice@809 Main Street809 Main St, East Hartford860-528-1359www.firstchc.org
444 Center Street, 3rd Fl, Manchester Chr444 Center St Fl 3, Manchester860-610-6351www.firstchc.org
First Choice Health Centers (Suite 230)150 N Main St, Manchester860-528-1359 x507www.firstchc.org
First Choice Health Centers110 Connecticut Blvd, East Hartford860-610-6157WWW.FIRSTCHC.ORG
First Choice Health Centers (Suite 240)150 N Main St, Manchester860-528-1359 x509WWW.FIRSTCHC.ORG
First Choice Health Centers265 Ellington Rd, East Hartford860-528-1359 x162www.firstchc.org
Charter Oak Health Center401 New Britain Ave, Hartford860-241-0712www.thecharteroak.org
House Of Bread27 Chestnut St, Hartford860-724-1061www.thecharteroak.org
Ywca Of The Hartford Region, Inc135 Broad St, Hartford860-525-1163www.thecharteroak.orgHealth Cent

Influenza associated deaths of individuals 18 years of age or younger have been reportable in Connecticut since January 2005. Children younger than 5 years of age –especially those younger than 2 years old or those with long-term medical conditions – are at risk of serious flu-related complications, including pneumonia, or worsening of long-term medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and diseases of the heart and nervous system. Rarely, flu complications can lead to death.

It is especially important that all children be vaccinated for influenza, starting at 6 months of age, since even apparently healthy children can become very ill and die from the flu.  Approximately 80% of children who die from influenza nationally and in Connecticut were not vaccinated for flu. Vaccination is particularly important for young children and those with long-term health conditions.

Getting your annual flu shot is also essential for people who are in contact with young or high risk children.  Infants younger than six months of age are too young to be vaccinated themselves and are high risk for becoming infected from unvaccinated people.

Commissioner Pino continues to “urge residents to get a flu shot to ensure protection through the remainder of the season. It is not too late to protect your health.” Also adding, “Everyone can help prevent the spread of flu by doing simple preventative practices such a covering your cough and sneeze and washing hands frequently. Teaching and reminding children of this important health practice is also very important”.

Parents are encouraged to call their health care professional if their child develops flu symptoms, such as sudden fever, aching muscles, sore throat, coughing, and headache. They might prescribe antiviral medications which can lessen the duration and severity of the illness. Antiviral medications are most effective when they are started as soon as possible after the illness starts. Serious flu-related illness can develop very quickly in children so parents and child-care providers should closely monitor children for signs of severe illness.

Commissioner Pino emphasized “Let’s all do our part to protect the children of Connecticut from influenza.”

For more CT Influenza statistics.

H
Submitted by Hartford, CT

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