Children’s deaths spur flu shots

In the midst of a now-two-week spell of subzero temperatures, Minnesotans bundled up to take their families out for flu shots after three children in the state died from the virus in the last dozen days.

The deaths led state public health officials to urge everyone to get vaccinated against the influenza virus. All three children who died, two 8-year-olds and a 17-month-old, had the influenza A strain covered by this year’s flu shot.

Though the influenza virus is active throughout the nation, it is widespread only in Minnesota and eight other states.