Flu Season Hitting Harder Than Expected
Because of an unforeseen strain of influenza and greater-than-anticipated demand for vaccine, flu shots are becoming unavailable in some parts of the U.S. An expert recommends steps to help deal with the situation....
Friday, December 12, 2003
Listen to Medminute audioThis year's U.S. flu season is shaping up to be a rough one. There are widespread outbreaks in some regions and supplies of vaccine are running low. Justine Strand, a physician assistant in the Department of Community and Family Medicine at Duke University Medical Center, says the vaccine may not be 100 percent effective against this season's most serious influenza strain, but will provide some protection. "One of the strains that's most prevalent this year is the Fujian strain, which was not part of the vaccine. There is some cross-protection from the flu shot, because it's very similar to one of the strains of the flu that's included in the shot." If vaccine is in short supply where you live, Strand recommends another option. "Those individuals who are healthy and have no medical conditions can use the FluMist, which is a nasal spray. It has a weak but live virus within it. And there still is vaccine available at a lot of locations. The best way to find out about availability of vaccine is to call your primary care provider or your local public health clinic." I'm Cabell Smith for MedMinute.
