More Children Than Ever Are Getting Flu Shots

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Ariel Skelley / Getty Images/Blend Images RM

Vaccination advocates can rejoice: the flu shot push is paying off.

New numbers released this morning from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that more children than ever before received their flu vaccine during the 2012-2013 flu season, and similar upticks were seen in adult populations. The researchers say the increase is encouraging for this year’s numbers as well.

(MORE: How to Find The Right Flu Vaccine)

Last season, 56.6% of kids between the ages 6 months to 17-years-old were vaccinated, a 5.1% increase from the year prior. Smaller — but still notable — increases were seen among adult populations too, which were up 2.7%. Overall, 45% of the U.S. population got a flu shot last year.

Although rates are up across the board, there are some disparities among ethnic and racial groups. However, the traditional ethnic and racial disparities were not seen among U.S. children.

The numbers were announced during a press conference with Dr. Howard Koh, the Assistant Secretary of Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Dr. Anne Schuchat, the Assistant Surgeon General.

(MORE: Flu Shots at the Pharmacy: What You Need to Know)

The increases are remarkable because they indicate that public health messaging is getting through to the right groups. The U.S. made a universal recommendation in 2010 that everyone 6 months and older should get an annual flu vaccines. But that doesn’t mean the push for more vaccinating will relax. “Despite substantial progress, we can do even more to make our country healthier through prevention. Flu vaccination should represent a simple investment we make year in and year out to maximize the gift of health,” said Dr. Koh.

About 135 million flu vaccines are currently available throughout the U.S. in doctors’ offices to retail stores. For more information on this year’s vaccine, read our breakdown, here.