© 2024 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
TECHNOTE: WKAR broadcast signals will be off-air or low power during tower maintenance

First Michigan Child Dies From Flu This Season

Doctor's Office
Pixabay Creative Commons

Michigan health officials say a child from Osceola County is the first in the state to die from the flu this season.

No other details about the case were disclosed Friday by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The rural county is in the northwestern Lower Peninsula, roughly 60 miles (96.5 kilometers) north of Grand Rapids.

 

The state says six children in the U.S. have died from the flu during the 2018-19 season. Officials add 39.5 percent of Michigan residents were vaccinated last season, below the national rate of nearly 42 percent.

 

Two Michigan children died last year from flu-related complications.

 

The department recommends everyone 6 months of age and older get a seasonal flu vaccine.

Related Content
Journalism at this station is made possible by donors who value local reporting. Donate today to keep stories like this one coming. It is thanks to your generosity that we can keep this content free and accessible for everyone. Thanks!