U.S. CDC director urges flu vaccinations as pediatric deaths mount

(This version of the Jan 22 story was officially corrected to clarify that CDC director was referring to historical vaccination trends and not deaths from the current flu season in paragraphs 1 and 4) By Julie Steenhuysen CHICAGO (Reuters) - Of the 30 U.S. children who have died from the flu so far this season, some 85 percent likely will not have been vaccinated, said Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald, who urged Americans to get flu shots amid one of the most severe flu seasons in years. Also, please get your children vaccinated," said Fitzgerald, who is urging citizens "to take every advantage that you can to protect yourself." The dominant strain during this flu season is an especially nasty type called influenza A (H3N2) that in seasons past has been linked with severe disease and death, especially in the elderly and young.

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