San Mateo reports child influenza death same week that CDC cuts immunization recommendations

"The same week the CDC announced cuts to recommendations for vaccines, San Mateo County reported that an unvaccinated child has died from influenza. The child, whose age and name were not released by authorities, is the second flu death in San Mateo County this season, officials say. On Monday, Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Jim O'Neill signed a memorandum to no longer include flu vaccines, among vaccines for 10 other diseases, to be on a recommended vaccination schedule."

"Other changes include dropping a mandatory hepatitis B vaccine for newborns, as well as identifying bacterial meningitis, rotavirus and COVID-19 as recommended only for "high risk groups." While CDC recommendations won't result in loss of access to such vaccines or insurance gaps, public health experts and pediatricians warn that the cuts are likely to result in confusion and a resurgence of diseases in schools."

"Changes to vaccine requirements have long been a talking point of the Trump administration, according to The Times, but came to national attention in December when Trump signed a presidential memorandum on childhood vaccines, directly cited by the CDC as the reason for the recent vaccine recommendation changes. In a statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics called the changes "dangerous." In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state joined in September with Oregon, Washington and Hawaii to create independent vaccine guidelines."

An unvaccinated child in San Mateo County died from influenza and is the second flu death in the county this season. Deputy Secretary Jim O'Neill signed a memorandum removing flu vaccines and ten other vaccines from the recommended childhood immunization schedule. Additional changes drop mandatory newborn hepatitis B and classify bacterial meningitis, rotavirus, and COVID-19 vaccines as recommended only for high-risk groups. The CDC says the changes will not restrict access or insurance coverage, but public health experts and pediatricians warn of likely confusion and disease resurgence in schools. The American Academy of Pediatrics labeled the changes "dangerous." State officials in California and several Pacific states created independent vaccine guidelines. Health officials recommend preventive measures including vaccination to avoid future deaths. Influenza can cause complications and fatalities, especially among older adults.

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