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84 children have died so far this flu season, CDC says

As of Friday, 84 children in the U.S. have died from in the flu since October, according to the CDC.

In a news conference Thursday, the CDC said that of those who died, three-fourths of them did not receive the flu vaccine.

[FLU RESOURCE GUIDE: What you need to know about this flu season]

[17 new flu deaths reported in North Carolina; 22 in South Carolina]

"We continue to recommend parents get their children vaccinated even though it's late in the season," Dr. Anne Schuchat told CNN. 

Health officials on Friday said about one in every 13 visits to the doctor last week was for fever, cough and other symptoms of the flu. 
The flu is currently widespread across 47 states except for Oregon, which is reporting local flu activity.

[1st pediatric flu death reported this season in South Carolina]

[Influenza surveillance map: Where is the flu in my state?]

In Massachusetts, there was a slight increase in flu-like illness this past week.
Medical professionals continue to encourage people to get the flu vaccine, even though researchers have found it to be 25 to 30 percent effective. To find a flu shot near you visit vaccinefinder.org.