Wisconsin Child Dies of Influenza, Only 31% of Wisconsinites Vaccinated

MADISON, Wis. (CIVIC MEDIA) – A Wisconsin child has died from the flu, the first death due to the illness in the 2024-25 flu season. 

Staff from the Department of Health Services said the child lives in the northern part of the state. 

The flu has been deadly here every year in the last two decades, according to DHS Respiratory Disease Epidemiologist Tom Haupt. 

“Children under 5 are at higher risk for complications from influenza, and for RSV for that matter, and COVID, just because of their age” Haupt said. “Any kind of underlying illnesses, whether it’s diabetes, asthma, anything that would lower their immune system, does increase their possibility of having complications from these particular viruses.” 

On average, one to six Wisconsin children die from the flu every year. 

Five to 20% of people get influenza each year, according to the American Lung Association. 

On top of the spread, fewer people are getting the flu shot. 

“We’re running at 31% [flu vaccination rate] this year, which is disappointing. It’s a little bit lower than last year,” Haupt said. “It’s frustrating, because we want to get this message out to people as to the complications.” 

Statewide only 16% of eligible Wisconsinites have an updated COVID-19 shot. Meanwhile, 22% of people above 60 have their RSV vaccine. 

To find a vaccine near you, you can call your doctor’s office, local pharmacy, or your local health department.