Seventh child dies from the flu in Mass., heath officials say

The flu season generally spans the fall and winter months.

There were 470 total flu deaths in 2024-2025, 251 in 2023-2024, and 235 in 2022-2023, according to the dashboard.

Ten children died of the flu last season, officials said.

In early January, public health officials warned of “very high and rising levels of influenza activity statewide,” with thousands of residents falling ill.

“This is a moment for clarity, urgency, and action,” Dr. Robbie Goldstein, the state’s public health commissioner, said in a statement last month. “These viruses are serious, dangerous, and life-threatening. We are seeing children who are seriously ill, families grieving devastating losses, and hospitals under capacity strain. There is a simple, effective, and available way to address these concerns: vaccines.”

Vaccines, Goldstein continued, “can prevent serious illness and hospitalization. And they save lives. If you have not yet been vaccinated against flu or COVID-19 this season, now is the time. It is not too late. Choosing vaccination is choosing to protect yourself, your family, your friends, your colleagues, and your community.”

On Tuesday, DPH reminded residents on social media that they can still get their flu and COVID-19 shots.

Information from earlier Globe reporting was used in this account.

John R. Ellement can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @JREbosglobe. Travis Andersen can be reached at [email protected].