A child in the South Carolina Midlands has died from flu complications. Health officials urge vaccination as flu cases rise statewide.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina officials confirmed on Friday that the state has seen its first pediatric death of the season related to influenza.
The South Carolina Department of Public Health said the child was in the Midlands region and died from complications tied to the flu. The agency didn’t say where in the area the death occurred or the child’s age. However, the state’s most recent flu report from the previous week showed Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry, Richland and Sumter counties above the baseline for influenza-like illness.
“We’ve seen widespread flu activity across the state over the past several weeks, with an increase in flu cases and hospitalizations,” said Dr. Linda Bell, DPH’s director of the Health Programs Branch. “It’s critical that everyone in South Carolina get their flu shots as well as updated vaccines for other respiratory illnesses, including COVID and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.”
The DPH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that everyone six months and older who is eligible get vaccinated. They add that it takes about two weeks for the body to build up protection from the vaccine. Flu vaccines are available from several providers and by appointment at DPH health clinics. People can make an appointment by calling 1-855-472-3432 or visiting the DPH website.
