State officials have confirmed that a child under 5 years old has died from the flu, marking the first pediatric flu death in the state this season. The child, who lived in North Jersey, had no other known medical conditions. “This flu season is already shaping up to be a very serious one, with more cases than previous years and, tragically, one child’s death this week. We extend our deepest condolences to the child’s family,” said Acting Health Commissioner Jeff Brown in a statement. New Jersey had five pediatric flu deaths last season, up from two the previous year, according to state data. There have been 58 flu-related deaths in New Jersey since the fall, most of which were people 65 and older. The death this year is a sign of this flu season’s intensity in New Jersey, where 9,288 new flu cases were identified during the week ending Jan. 3, according to the state Department of Health’s latest statistics. The number of emergency department and outpatient visits related to flu-like illness also remains elevated. Influenza A(H3N2) viruses are the most frequently reported flu viruses so far this season, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In the past, influenza A(H3N2) predominant flu seasons have been associated with more flu-related hospitalizations and deaths in people 65 years and older. Health officials are urging people to get their flu shots, saying that it’s not too late. “By getting vaccinated, we can each do our part in reducing the spread of flu and other respiratory viruses in New Jersey and helping prevent serious complications,” Brown said in a statement. According to data from the CDC, 280 pediatric deaths were reported during the 2024-2025 influenza season. The median age at death was 7 years, and 56% of children who died had at least one underlying medical condition. Among the 208 children with available data who were vaccine eligible, 89% were not fully vaccinated. While vaccines may not fully protect everyone, public health experts argue they’re still proven to help prevent serious illness and death. In the average flu season, vaccines have a 40-60% efficacy in reducing the incidence of severe illness, according to the CDC. Early estimates of the 2025-2026 flu vaccine’s effectiveness show the shot is 70-75% effective for children and 30-40% for adults. Flu vaccines are available for use in people aged 6 months and older. They’re offered at doctor’s offices, pharmacies, community health clinics, health departments and other community locations. Visit the CDC website for additional help finding vaccines in your area. Jackie Roman is a health care reporter for NJ.com and The Star-Ledger. In addition to covering breaking public health and drug industry news, she also writes feature stories and investigations. Prior to joining... more