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Young Children Hospitalized With Flu At High Rates In N.M.

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Young children are being hospitalized with the flu in New Mexico at more than three times the national rate. There have been 122 hospitalizations of children four years old or younger so far this flu season, according to the Department of Health, but those numbers only represent 60 percent of the state's population.

“It's a little concerning that we’ve got this relatively high rate of child influenza hospitalizations that we’re seeing," said Dr. Michael Landen, the state's epidemiologist. "We’re still in the middle of the influenza season, it is still time for people to get vaccinated."

 

There are two particularly bad influenza strains circulating this season, but Landen said this year's vaccine is very effective, so people who haven’t gotten their shot yet may still benefit from getting one.

If you or someone you know is at a greater risk and has flu-like symptoms, Landen said you should contact your doctor right away.

 

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