The total number of children who have died since April, when the pandemic was declared, is 114, Bloomberg reports.

The news service is quoting from the weekly morbidity and mortality report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Since 19 of that total of 114 died in this last week, it is clear that there is more reason for parents to think hard about the vaccine if they have been uncertain or opposed to its use.

In percentage terms, the increase last week was 20%. Every child’s death is a tragedy is too many ways to list here. However, 20% is a number which can terrify parents who do not see the absolute numbers. It is important not to get to focused on the percentages at times like these. How many actual children got sick? Died? That is better information on which to base your decision-making, pro or con on the vaccine.

Let’s note that the CDC mortality data comes from 28 states, not all of them.

That means the actual total likely is higher.

Bloomberg

“Swine flu killed 114 children in the U.S. since the outbreak surfaced in April, including 19 reported in the week from Oct. 18 to Oct. 24, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said today on its Web site.

“The death rate for children rose 20 percent from the 95 children killed by the virus, also known as H1N1 influenza, reported Oct. 23 by the CDC.(Ed. note: These next numbers refer to adults.) Swine flu killed 530 people from Aug. 30 to Oct. 24 and accounted for 12,466 hospitalizations, the Atlanta-based agency said today on its Web site. The mortality data come from 28 states.

“H1N1 flu targets young adults and children in greater numbers than other population groups, CDC says. People ages 6 months to 24 years are among the highest priority groups for getting the swine flu vaccine, according to the agency’s guidelines.”

Source: Bloomberg, October 30, 2009

Primary Source:

Swine flu killed 114 children in the U.S. since the outbreak surfaced in April, including 19 reported in the week from Oct. 18 to Oct. 24, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said today on its Web site.

The death rate for children rose 20 percent from the 95 children killed by the virus, also known as H1N1 influenza, reported Oct. 23 by the CDC. Swine flu killed 530 people from Aug. 30 to Oct. 24 and accounted for 12,466 hospitalizations, the Atlanta-based agency said today on its Web site. The mortality data come from 28 states.

H1N1 flu targets young adults and children in greater numbers than other population groups, CDC says. People ages 6 months to 24 years are among the highest priority groups for getting the swine flu vaccine, according to the agency’s guidelines.

Source: Bloomberg News, October 30, 2009

Primary Source: CDC website, October 30, 2009