BREAKING: First Pediatric Flu Death of the Season Reported to NJ Department of Health

The New Jersey Department of Health has received notification of a confirmed pediatric flu death, the first this influenza season in New Jersey.

“I am deeply saddened for the family of this young child, who experienced an unthinkable loss,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Shereef Elnahal.

The child, from the central region of the state, died in late December. For reasons of medical privacy, the Department will not be releasing additional information.

“There is high flu activity throughout the state so it’s important for those who have not yet gotten a flu shot—especially health care workers—to get one,” the Department said. “The Department of Health also recommends that people take the necessary precautions during this flu season: wash or disinfect your hands frequently, cover any coughs and sneezes, stay home and call your health care provider if you are sick (especially with a fever).”

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7 COMMENTS

  1. I object to your headline. The word ‘first’ implies that there will be more. The headline would have the same meaning if you removed that word. It trivializes the heartbreaking death of a young child into a headline. Please consider the family that lost their child, and show extra sensitivity, even if they aren’t in your typical readership. My heart goes out to them.

  2. Did the child get the flu shot?
    did the child take tamilflu?

    Please look into the side effects of Tamiflu before giving it to yourself or your child. It is not a safe medication.

  3. Yottie/ Deb- there should be more concern that a family lost a child than worrying about whether or not the were vaccinated. If this was your baby, you would find that insensitive.

  4. Uncommon sense- i do feel terrible that a family has lost a child, i really do! Unfortunately children die every day from various illnesses, most of which there is no vaccine for and are never reported
    The point of this article was not to report the death of a child. The point of this article was to scare you into vaccinating for the flu.
    Hence my question.
    If the child was vaccinated then maybe just maybe it is more dangerous to give the flu shot then to refuse it
    And if the child took tamiflu then maybe tamiflu is the killer and not the flu.
    Many deaths are reported after tamiflu use. However due the fact that patient had flu, cause of death is flu and not tamiflu

  5. And just for the record
    There is one person in my large extended family that insists on taking the flu shot every year
    This person is the only person in my extended family that gets pneumonia every year
    Just saying

Comments are closed.