CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- North Carolina has recorded the first death of a child from the flu for the 2011-2012 flu season.
State health officials have not yet identified the 6-year-old or said where the child lived.
They did say the child was at risk for complications from the flu because of an underlying medical condition.
At this time last year there were 14 flu-related deaths. Reported cases of the flu were widespread in the Carolinas and in almost all of the country.
Dr. Steve Keener, the Medical Director for Mecklenburg County, said the flu in our region has been sporadic.
"Regionally it’s pretty much on the low end of what we are experiencing in North Carolina which is not very much," he said.
Young kids are among the groups that are at high risk of getting the flu and flu shots are recommended for any child over 6 months of age.
Will Mullinix was at Freedom Park with his two kids Monday night and said they’ve both been vaccinated.
"You know, it is a quick prick and a lolly-pop - in a few seconds we are done. It is certainly worth it," said Mullinix.
Gibb Heilman was helping his young son, Smith, who was doing pretty well on a tricycle.
"I think it is better to be proactive on that," he said of getting the shot for his son. "I hear more good things about people getting the flu shot than otherwise."
But Leah Guess said she is not getting the shot for her 4-year-old daughter.
"I had the flu vaccine but I didn't get it for her. The year I did get it for her she actually got sick," she said.
Doctor Keener said that wasn’t possible.
"What that means is they get their vaccination and then shortly after they acquire some type of a viral illness that they would have gotten anyway," explained Keener.
While there have not been that many flu cases to date, Dr. Keener said the season is not over yet.
"I fully expect that before now and the end of April we will see an increased level of influenza activity," he said.
