According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu activity is currently low across the United States, but outbreaks can begin in October. The virus can hit kids particularly hard: More than 20,000 children are hospitalized each year because of complications from the flu. Last season, more than 140 deaths among children were attributed to influenza.
Dr. Robin Altman, chief of general pediatrics for Children’s & Women’s Physicians of Westchester, suspects this may be another tough battle with the virus.
Altman is urging patients to get vaccinated now, since it takes two weeks for the body to build up immunity.
The flu vaccine remains the best protection against the virus.
