10 Tennessee children have died of flu this season; CDC says flu B, H1N1 on the rise

At least 10 Tennessee children have died of flu this season, the Tennessee Department of Health said Tuesday.

The state health department confirmed two more children had died of flu-related complications, for a total of four children in East Tennessee and six in Middle Tennessee. A pregnant woman in Middle Tennessee also has died from flu complications this season.

More:When should you go to the ER for flu?

The state does not track adult deaths related to flu, but it and the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention track flu-related deaths of children and pregnant women. Nationally, as of Feb. 16, child deaths totaled at least 84 for this season.

Only 26 percent of those children eligible to have the flu shot had it this season before they got sick, the CDC said Friday. 

More:Flu fills hospitals 'everywhere' in state as season peaks early

Although H3N2 flu A has been the predominant strain this year, the CDC said, "there is an increasing proportion of influenza B and H1N1 viruses being detected" now.

Though this season's vaccine has not been very effective against H3N2, which is noted for its ability to quickly mutate, it's offering "substantial" protection against H1N1 and "moderate" protection against flu B viruses, the CDC said. Overall, the public health agency said early estimates indicate the vaccine has reduced risk of having to get medical attention by 36 percent this season. 

Tennessee Department of Health spokesman Bill Christian said health departments statewide still have free flu vaccine available.

In Tennessee, 22 percent of specimens submitted to the state Feb. 4-10 tested positive for flu, and 64 of the state's 95 counties had at least one confirmed flu case in recent weeks. The percentage of outpatients with influenza-like symptoms was significantly higher in the Knoxville metro area and the East Tennessee region than in the rest of the state.

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