Three Young Lives Lost: Massachusetts Reels as Flu Claims Children

A Season Turns Tragic

BOSTON — The phone in Dr. Mallory Hastings’ office had barely stopped ringing since sunrise. By 9 a.m. Monday, the state health alert flashed across her screen: three pediatric deaths, all tied to influenza. In the corridor, nurses spoke in hushed tones, the kind usually reserved for plane crashes or natural disasters. Except this was a virus most parents shrug off as "just the flu."

‘I Thought She’d Sleep It Off’

At a candle-light vigil outside Boston Children’s Monday night, Melissa Rios clutched a crayon drawing of a unicorn—her daughter Sofia’s last art project. The seven-year-old spiked a fever on Wednesday; by Saturday she was gone. "She hated shots," Rios whispered. "I kept thinking, ‘We’ll get the vaccine next week.’"

There is no ‘next week’ once the virus moves to the lungs. Influenza kills fast and without apology.
— Dr. Mallory Hastings, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Surge Hits Two Months Early

State epidemiologists say emergency departments saw a 47 % jump in flu visits over the holiday weekend. Typically, Massachusetts doesn’t peak until late February. "We’re skiing in November snow," quipped Dr. Paulina Cho, chief of infectious disease at Baystate Medical, noting that 72 % of hospitalized children were unvaccinated.

What Parents Need to Know Now

• Flu shots remain 60 % effective against the dominant H3N2 strain and take 10–14 days to provide full protection.
• Antiviral drugs like Tamiflu work best within 48 hours; don’t wait for a test if a child has difficulty breathing.
• Keep kids home until fever-free for 24 hours; half-empty classrooms across Worcester County show the policy is being enforced.
• Masks are back in vogue: CVS outlets in Springfield and Lowell report selling out of pediatric-sized N95s.

State Response: Free Clinics and a Plea

Gov. Maura Healey announced 50 pop-up clinics this week, no insurance required. "We can’t legislate parenting, but we can remove every barrier," she said, rolling up her sleeve for a dose that will be broadcast on local news at 6 and 11. Pharmacies are extending hours until 10 p.m.; Uber is offering free rides to clinics with code "MAFLU23."

‘A Shot Is Cheaper Than a Funeral’

Back in East Boston, the Rios family is planning services instead of a birthday party. Melissa keeps replaying the doctor’s apology: "We did everything we could." She wants other parents to hear a different message: the vaccine isn’t perfect, but neither are seat belts—and we still buckle up.

The state health hotline—211—has fielded more than 12,000 flu-related calls since the deaths were announced. Operators report a single recurring question: "Is it too late?" The answer, epidemiologists insist, is no. As long as the virus is circulating, the shot can still turn a potential tragedy into a week on the couch.

Winter has only just begun.