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3rd Child Flu Death Reported In Massachusetts

In this file photo, a sign telling customers that they can get a flu shot in a Walgreen store is seen in Indianapolis. (Darron Cummings/AP)
In this file photo, a sign telling customers that they can get a flu shot in a Walgreen store is seen in Indianapolis. (Darron Cummings/AP)

Public health officials in Massachusetts have confirmed a third pediatric flu death in the state this season.

The state Public Health Department confirmed Tuesday that the latest child to die of the flu was a girl from Middlesex County. Her age and her hometown were not disclosed.

Authorities previously confirmed that a 12-year-old boy from Milford and a 4-year-old girl from Framingham had died from flu-related complications.

Last season, there was one flu-associated pediatric death in Massachusetts.

Dr. Larry Madoff, director of epidemiology and immunization at the department, said January and February are typically the height of the flu season and the best defense is vaccination.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates there are 12,000 to 56,000 deaths due to complications of flu nationwide annually.

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