[torstars]

The Fujian-like viruses are H3N2 as are the Panama-like (I just got a shot and I think it contained Moscow-like, but its still in the same ballpark - the current vaccine has an H3N2 strain that first appeared around 1999).

Animal data indicated that immunization with Panama gave titers of >40 (protective) in 75% of the animals. Thus, in the animal studies, there was clearly some cross-protection.

However, the virus has continued to mutate, and the virus from Australia had already changed somewhat from Fujian, and I suspect the latest version of Fujian has changed even more, so you could have good antibody levels to Panama and still get the flu.

Theoretically, the cross reacting antibodies would help, but as noted in some of the fatal cases in children, the vaccine didn't help enough.

One thing I didn't know was that for children under 9, a second shot is recommended a month later, so it seems that some of the fatalities were in children who had only received one of the two shots.

[Think free or die]

" One thing I didn't know was that for children under 9, a second shot is recommended a month later"

Because of the severity of flu among children this year I had our sons immunized for the first time. I asked about the second shot for our 8 year old, and our doctor's office said he doesn't need it. Since he got his first shot the day after Thanksgiving, I suspect the vaccine supply will have run out by the time he'd be due for the second shot, so the point may be moot.