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October 17, 2024

State confirms season’s first 2 flu deaths

YEHYUN KIM / CTMIRROR.ORG Dr. Manisha Juthani
By David Krechevsky

Two state residents, an elderly adult and an infant, have been confirmed as Connecticut’s first two deaths due to influenza (flu) for the 2024-25 respiratory viral disease season.

State Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani issued a statement Wednesday at a news conference during which Gov. Ned Lamont received his flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.

According to DPH, the first death involved an adult between 90-99 years old who died in September. The second was a child less than a year old who died earlier this month. No other information about the victims was released.

Juthani noted that because of the child’s age, they were not yet eligible to receive a vaccination.

“This is a tragic reminder that the 2024-25 respiratory viral disease season is here,” she said. “As we approach the holiday season and people spend more time indoors, I strongly encourage all Connecticut residents to make sure they are up to date on their seasonal vaccines, particularly older individuals and those with multiple medical conditions.”

The current vaccine and prevention guidance to prevent respiratory viral diseases is:

Everyone 6 months of age or older should receive an annual dose of influenza vaccine and an updated COVID-19 vaccine.
Adults 60 and older and pregnant people are eligible to receive an RSV vaccine. A monoclonal antibody, Nirsevimab (Beyfortus), is recommended for all infants younger than 8 months who are born during, or who are entering, RSV season.

Residents can receive vaccines from their healthcare provider, a retail pharmacy, or by visiting vaccines.gov to find a nearby vaccination location.

DPH also offered a reminder that the spread of respiratory viruses like the flu, COVID-19 and RSV can be prevented by handwashing, remaining home when sick, disinfecting surfaces and masking if you have any symptoms.

The U.S. Government is also once again offering four free COVID-19 self-tests per household, available at covidtests.gov.
 

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