A preschool-age child in the Virginia Department of Health’s Eastern Region, which includes Gloucester and Mathews counties, was recently determined to be the third confirmed influenza-associated pediatric death for the 2025-2026 flu season in Virginia. According to a press release from VDH, the case was identified using a retrospective records search and was reported to the state’s Respiratory Illness Dashboard as of Sept. 29. To protect the family’s privacy, VDH did not provide any additional information about the child. VDH said that, in order to prevent flu, everyone six months old or older, with rare exceptions, should get the flu vaccine every season. The annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to help reduce the risk of getting flu and any of its potentially serious complications, said the release. The best time to get the vaccine is by the end of October, but it’s never too late. The vaccine will provide protection as long as flu viruses are circulating. Flu activity begins...