Catherine M Brown, Carley Perez Kauffman, Victoria Carroll, S.C. Cunningham, R. Ergas, Joyce Cohen, Mia Haddad, Erika Buzby, Juliana Jacoboski, S. Ash, E. Russo, Peter C. Breen, J. Norville, Seana Cofsky, A. Tibbs, E. Fahim, J. Hall, Sandra Masson, R. Jadi, S. Bhattacharyya, Angela G. Fowler, Nicolas Epie, L. Madoff, Robert H Goldstein
2026.1.16NEJM Evidence
tlooto Summary
There were 10 reported pediatric deaths; 7 of those occurred among children with preexisting conditions; 8 of 10 had not received that year's influenza vaccination.
Abstract
AbstractTo inform public health actions during the current influenza season, the authors describe activity, vaccination, and pediatric mortality during the 2024-2025 influenza season in Massachusetts using public health surveillance data. Influenza activity was elevated, as measured by influenza-like illness, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations. Vaccination coverage was low in pediatric patients but remained high in people 65 years of age and older. There were 10 reported pediatric deaths; 7 of those occurred among children with preexisting conditions; 8 of 10 had not received that year's influenza vaccination.
Citation format
BROWN, Catherine M, et al. Seasonal influenza activity, vaccination rates, and pediatric influenza mortality, massachusetts 2024-2025. NEJM Evidence, 2026, 5(3): EVIDpha2500136.