01/09/2026
The South Carolina Department of Public health recommends all South Carolina residents to make sure they are up to date on seasonal vaccines, including Flu, RSV, and COVID. As of today, we have now reached 26 flu-related deaths since Flu season started in October 2025.
DPH announced today that the state has suffered its first pediatric flu-related death of the season.
βWe regret having to report the death of a child in the Upstate Region from complications due to the flu. We extend our condolences to the family,β said Dr. Linda Bell, State Epidemiologist and DPHβs director of the Health Programs Branch. βWeβve seen widespread flu activity across the state over the past several weeks, with an increase in flu cases, and hospitalizations. Prior to this report, as of January 3, twenty-five flu-associated deaths were reported in South Carolina during this flu season. To prevent complications and deaths, itβs critical that everyone in South Carolina get their flu shots as well as updated vaccines for respiratory illnesses, including COVID and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.β
While the flu can circulate any time of year, for surveillance purposes, the season began Sept. 28, 2025. DPH provides a weekly Flu Watch report published each Wednesday.
Read more: https://dph.sc.gov/news/dph-confirms-seasons-first-pediatric-flu-related-death-south-carolina