ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A child in Florida has died from the flu last week, the third child death from the virus this flu season.
- Health officials: Child in Florida died from flu last week
- Child was 3rd to die from the virus this flu season
- Health officials urging vaccinations, say it's not too late
The Florida Department of Health reports the child was unvaccinated and had no known underlying health problems.
The Health Department didn't say where that child died.
Dr. Juan Dumois, a pediatric infectious diseases physician at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, is reminding people that it's not too late to get vaccinated.
"The flu vaccine, especially this year, seems to be a very good match for the types of flu virus going around and so we expect it to be pretty protective," Dumois said.
Dumois also is reminding people who spend time around babies younger than six months to also get vaccinated.
The Health Department reports most Florida counties have reported an increase in flu activity. With heightened flu activity expected to continue, Dumois says protection will be key in the coming weeks and months.
"Medications work best when given in the first couple of days of illness, so if you think you really have the flu, go and get diagnosed early and get that prescription filled early. It’s most likely to help you early," Dumois said.