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OCTOBER 8, 2025
NCDHHS Announces First Flu Death of 2025-2026 Season, Encourages Residents to Get Annual Vaccines and Use Other Preventive Measures
El Departamento de Salud Y Servicios Humanos de Carolina del Norte anuncia la primera muerte por influenza de la temporada 2025-2026 y alienta a los residentes a vacunarse anualmente y a tomar otras medidas preventiva — Versión en español abajo
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the first reported flu-related death of the 2025-2026 flu season. An adult in the western part of the state died due to complications of flu during the first week of October. To protect the privacy of the family, no additional information will be released.
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During last year’s respiratory virus season, North Carolina reported the highest number of flu-associated deaths reported (544) since the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. Last season also saw the highest number of pediatric flu deaths nationally since the 2009 H1N1 pandemic (280); approximately half of those children had no known high-risk conditions and 89% were not fully vaccinated against flu.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend all people six months and older receive a seasonal flu vaccine. COVID-19 vaccines are also recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older if an individual or parent/guardian chooses to get one for themself or their child after discussion with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider. RSV vaccinations are recommended to protect older adults 75 years and older, adults 50-74 years who are at increased risk of severe RSV, and for pregnant women during weeks 32 through 36 of pregnancy to protect infants. Parents should talk with their health care provider about other options to protect infants from severe RSV disease. A summary of flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccine recommendations for 2025-26 is available from the Common Health Coalition.
Flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccinations are available at pharmacies, private medical offices, some federally qualified health care centers and local health departments. Children who are uninsured can be vaccinated at low or no cost through the Vaccines for Children program, which offers free vaccines to eligible children through 18 years of age. Flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines can be administered at the same visit.
Early testing and treatment with an antiviral drug can help prevent flu and COVID-19 infections from becoming more serious. Treatments work best if started soon after symptoms begin. Treatment is especially important for those who are hospitalized and those who are at high risk of serious complications based on their age or medical conditions. Last week, NCDHHS State Health Director Dr. Larry Greenblatt issued Standing Orders to allow retail pharmacists across the state to test for the influenza virus and then immediately treat with the appropriate medications to reduce severity of illness.
In addition to vaccines and treatment, the following precautions should be taken to protect against the spread of respiratory viruses:
continued: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/news/press-re...ccines-and-use
NCDHHS Announces First Flu Death of 2025-2026 Season, Encourages Residents to Get Annual Vaccines and Use Other Preventive Measures
El Departamento de Salud Y Servicios Humanos de Carolina del Norte anuncia la primera muerte por influenza de la temporada 2025-2026 y alienta a los residentes a vacunarse anualmente y a tomar otras medidas preventiva — Versión en español abajo
PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the first reported flu-related death of the 2025-2026 flu season. An adult in the western part of the state died due to complications of flu during the first week of October. To protect the privacy of the family, no additional information will be released.
-snip-
During last year’s respiratory virus season, North Carolina reported the highest number of flu-associated deaths reported (544) since the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. Last season also saw the highest number of pediatric flu deaths nationally since the 2009 H1N1 pandemic (280); approximately half of those children had no known high-risk conditions and 89% were not fully vaccinated against flu.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend all people six months and older receive a seasonal flu vaccine. COVID-19 vaccines are also recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older if an individual or parent/guardian chooses to get one for themself or their child after discussion with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider. RSV vaccinations are recommended to protect older adults 75 years and older, adults 50-74 years who are at increased risk of severe RSV, and for pregnant women during weeks 32 through 36 of pregnancy to protect infants. Parents should talk with their health care provider about other options to protect infants from severe RSV disease. A summary of flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccine recommendations for 2025-26 is available from the Common Health Coalition.
Flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccinations are available at pharmacies, private medical offices, some federally qualified health care centers and local health departments. Children who are uninsured can be vaccinated at low or no cost through the Vaccines for Children program, which offers free vaccines to eligible children through 18 years of age. Flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines can be administered at the same visit.
Early testing and treatment with an antiviral drug can help prevent flu and COVID-19 infections from becoming more serious. Treatments work best if started soon after symptoms begin. Treatment is especially important for those who are hospitalized and those who are at high risk of serious complications based on their age or medical conditions. Last week, NCDHHS State Health Director Dr. Larry Greenblatt issued Standing Orders to allow retail pharmacists across the state to test for the influenza virus and then immediately treat with the appropriate medications to reduce severity of illness.
In addition to vaccines and treatment, the following precautions should be taken to protect against the spread of respiratory viruses:
continued: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/news/press-re...ccines-and-use