Posted on 12/05/2017 1:03:05 PM PST by BenLurkin
The state has seen a “very rapid increase” in influenza-like illness and a surge in confirmed flu cases, the state’s public health commissioner Monica Bharel said in a statement Tuesday. Medical experts wrote last week in The New England Journal of Medicine that there is “mounting concern” about the record level of flu in Australia after reports emerged that the vaccine there was only 10 percent effective against the dominant H3N2 strain. The American flu vaccine uses the same composition, indicating possible low vaccine effectiveness and a similarly severe flu season.
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The department recommends people get the flu vaccine as soon as possible, wash their hands thoroughly and regularly, cover coughs and sneezes, stay home when sick with fever and cough or sore throat, and talk to a health care provider if they think they have the flu.
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Massachusetts is one of four states with widespread influenza activity, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in its most recent weekly report. The others are Georgia, Louisiana, and Oklahoma.
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
Preparing the flu vaccine is always guesswork since influenza mutates rapidly and there’s more than one variety in circulation.
The vaccine is BS. A money maker is all it is.
Worked for me last year. Might be BS to you, though.
Hopefully, it isn’t the Indian Flu.
That turned Lizzy Warren into a greedy, thieving liar.
It’s usually based on the two most probable strains. I was surprised this year to learn that there are 4 strains covered in the current vaccine, including one that seemed to originate in Australia.
Well, just because you didn't come down with the flu, doesn't mean the vaccine worked. Isn't it possible you were never exposed to it in the first place?
Saw an article that NM is also seeing cases earlier than usual.
The med folks make their best guess and hope. Don’t think anyone else has a better idea. Hopefully, even if the guess is far off, the plusses will outweigh the costs/minuses.
Irish flu usually only lasts a day or two.
“only 10 percent effective against the dominant H3N2 strain”
Yep, that’s why my only flu vaccine was in 1972 in the USAF.
Dodged it in 73, and got out in 74.
I get the flu about every 10 years, so my 10% record is as good as theirs.
Time to start not touching anything and keep alcohol wipes with me.
Flu shot effectiveness:
2014-2015 = 19%
2015-2016 = 47%
2016-2017 = 43%-(Strain A) 48% overall.
2017-2018 = predicted immunization match to flu virus better than ever.
I haven’t gotten a flu shot in years...so far, not too shabby.
The flu is starting to hit here in Colorado. A few people at work seem to have it. I have gotten the shot the last 8 or 10 years because what ever strain hit me pretty hard back then.
Who knows. Lots of people around me got some sort of nasty respiratory thing, including my husband. They did not have the vaccine.
No way to prove or disprove.
Agreed.
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