Srinagar, May 3 -- The United States is experiencing its deadliest flu season for children since the 2009-2010 swine flu pandemic, with 216 pediatric deaths reported so far, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This surpasses last year's tally of 207 and marks the highest toll in 15 years, with experts warning the actual number may rise as the season is still ongoing.

Dr. Sean O'Leary of the American Academy of Pediatrics emphasized the figure is likely underreported and attributed the surge to plummeting vaccination rates. This season, only 49% of children received the flu shot, down from 64% five years ago. While flu vaccines may not fully prevent infection, they significantly reduce the risk of hospitaliz...