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During the 2024-25 respiratory season, 281 children died from influenza in the United States. Most of those children were unvaccinated. Vaccination against influenza reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Families Fighting Flu has posted a new video that highlights 7-year-old Kaden Stevenson’s battle against influenza called Kaden Blaze - Families Fighting Flu. It also features a new comic book and a library of digital and print resources inspired by Kaden’s story as well as many other resources that can be used to promote the importance of flu vaccine.
The Association for Immunization Managers (AIM) also has Flu Resources with updated educational resources about the flu vaccine including a one-page resource guide designed to provide program support related to health education, health communication and program planning.
Influenza-associated encephalitis (IAE), including acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE), is a rare complication following influenza infection, characterized by high fever, obtundation (changes in consciousness), seizures, and necrotic lesions in the brain. Due to increased reports of this condition in children during the 2024-25 influenza season, CDC released a call for pediatric cases to further understand IAE, including risk factors for children developing this complication. CDC, in partnership with state public health jurisdictions, including MDH, analyzed data from reported cases of IAE and ANE in the U.S. Of 109 pediatric IAE cases identified, 55% were previously healthy, and only 16% had received a current seasonal influenza vaccine.
One case of influenza-associated ANE was identified in Minnesota during the 2024-25 season in a child under 2 years of age who resides in the Twin Cities metro and has fully recovered.
RespSafe registration is now open for Minnesota hospitals and long-term care (LTC) facilities (e.g., skilled nursing facilities) who wish to participate for the 2025-26 respiratory season. RespSafe is an immunization improvement and recognition program for facilities committed to improving their staff’s flu and COVID-19 vaccination coverage.
MDH endorses recommendations that include flu and COVID-19 vaccine for health care personnel (HCP). The American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association (PALTmed) recommend vaccinations for HCPs.
Organizations that choose to participate will be recognized based on flu vaccination coverage rates achieved, along with a strong encouragement of flu and COVID-19 vaccination with their staff and implementation of vaccine promotional activities. Questions about the program can be sent to health.respsafe.mdh@state.mn.us.
From January through June, MDH and North Dakota State University Center for Immunization Research and Education (CIRE), launched a targeted initiative to strengthen provider communication around the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. This initiative focused on delivering concise, peer-led, educational sessions aimed to equip health care providers with practical strategies to improve HPV vaccine conversations with patients and families. The article is featured in the September edition of Minnesota Physician, and highlights the goals, implementation, and challenges of this collaborative approach to enhancing vaccine confidence and uptake in clinical settings across Minnesota. Access the full article at Minnesota Physician: Closing the Gap: Strengthening HPV Vaccine Confidence.
Over the past year Minnesota reported two cases of pertussis that were resistant to first line treatment antibiotics (ex. azithromycin, erythromycin, clarithromycin). One case had recently traveled to a country that has seen an increase in antibiotic resistance to pertussis. This increase has been seen in Europe, Asia, and South America. While most commercial reference labs are not able to assess antibiotic resistance, we are fortunate that the MDH Public Health Laboratory (PHL) performs Bordetella species cultures.
We are encouraging health care providers to consider sending specimens to MDH-PHL for PCR testing and subsequent culture when you are considering pertussis in someone who has had recent international travel. For more information on how to submit a specimen, visit Bordetella PCR and for information on requesting testing supplies visit VPD Test Kit Requests.
Minnesota is one of the first states in the U.S. to have reports of antibiotic resistance, in part because of our robust surveillance system and partnership with health care providers. For more information on pertussis and testing for pertussis refer to:
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