Colorado confirms pediatric flu death as cases rise early this season – KKTV

Colorado confirms pediatric flu death as cases rise early this season  KKTV

The Colorado Department of Health and Environment has confirmed the first reported pediatric influenza-associated death of the season. DENVER, Colo. (SCRIPPS NEWS GROUP) – The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has confirmed with KKTV the first reported pediatric influenza-associated death of the 2026-27 respiratory virus season in an elementary-aged child from outside the Denver metro area. State health officials said Friday there is no record that the child received the 2026-27 flu vaccine. The department did not release additional information about the child. The death comes as flu activity increases across Colorado, with hospitals reporting more positive flu tests and flu-related hospitalizations, according to CDPHE. The state is coming off its most severe pediatric flu season on record.

During the 2025-26 season, Colorado recorded 5,931 flu-related hospitalizations, the highest annual total since the state began tracking the data in 2004. Of those hospitalizations, 1,169 involved children, and eight children died from the flu. “Last year’s record hospitalizations were a sobering reminder of how serious the flu can be, especially for young children,” said Dr. Rachel Herlihy, Colorado’s state epidemiologist and deputy chief medical officer. Herlihy urged parents to get their children vaccinated before flu transmission increases further. CDPHE recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older. Officials say it takes about two weeks after vaccination for