The Maricopa County Department of Public Health is reporting its first pediatric flu death this season. In a press release Tuesday, the county said the child was not immunized. 

More than 16,000 total cases have been reported to the county so far. That’s the highest number of cases at this point in any flu season. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months and older get their flu shot to help prevent hospitalization and death.

There were two pediatric deaths recorded in Maricopa County during the last flu season.