Healthcare sector has witnessed innovative tools to cure and prevent diseases like telehealth software, value-based healthcare solutions, patient engagement software, etc. But, challenges still exist, like the past flu season was the deadliest for U.S. children.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials mentioned that there were 172 pediatric flu deaths since October, which surpassed the 2012-13 flu season, which witnessed 171 deaths. It's alarming because an average season sees 110 deaths.
The past flu season as long as it lasted for 19 weeks but, it wasn’t a pandemic. Though it was unusually intense and high levels of illnesses were reported in almost all states for weeks. The peak of the season began in early February and was over by end of March, though some flu continued to circulate. The latest pediatric death occurred in late May.
The season was seen to be driven by a type of flu that causes more people to be admitted to the hospital and causes more deaths, especially among young children and the elderly population.
Things turned worse as the flu vaccine didn’t work too well. Flu vaccinations are recommended annually for Americans who are 6 months and above.