Flu is More Dangerous for Kids with Neurologic Disorders

During the 2009 H1N1 flu outbreak, a disproportionate number of kids with neurologic disorders died, according to a new study by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).  Intellectual disability and epilepsy were two of the most common conditions affecting children who died that year. Children with intellectual disability, cerebral palsy and other disorders are also at risk.

However, just half of children with neurologic or neurodevelopmental conditions receive the flu vaccine each year. While that’s similar to the vaccination rate for all children, it’s a problem because kids with special needs are at higher risk of hospitalization or even death if they contract the flu, officials said.

See the full report from the Center for Disease Control here.