Colorado Health Officials Cite Early Flu Surge and Pediatric Death
More than one million residents have received shots as the 2026-27 season begins earlier than last year.
By Vikram Harrison ·
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment confirmed the first pediatric influenza-associated death of the 2026-27 respiratory virus season.
The victim was an elementary-aged child, and the state announced the finding earlier this month.
Rachel Herlihy, the state epidemiologist, stated that influenza activity is currently higher than it was at this time last year.
Herlihy noted that Colorado is experiencing cases earlier in the calendar than in previous years.
This early start follows a severe 2025-2026 season that officials described as the worst on record since tracking began in 2004.
Herlihy said the previous season produced the highest hospitalization rates for children and more pediatric deaths than any season since the 2009 H1N1 pandemic.
More than one million Coloradans have received the vaccine this year.
Health officials reported that the percentage of residents vaccinated is higher now than it was during the same period in the last two years.
The vaccine is available to anyone six months and older, including pregnant people and individuals with underlying health conditions.
Christopher Leo, a resident, described vaccination as a way to protect those in close social circles during the holiday season.
Steve Musielak, a pharmacist at CVS, reported a sharp rise in patients seeking shots over the last week or two.
Musielak noted that the full effect of the vaccine can take up to two weeks to develop, making early administration important while the virus is circulating.
