"The Fiercer-than-usual Flu Season Will Meet a Less-effective-Than-usual Vaccine."
Time Magazine's highly respected senior reporter, Alice Park, explains: "This year's virus is in rare form. Experts report that the vaccine may not be as effective as they'd hoped. Normally, vaccines are grown in about four months in chicken eggs but minor changes that are being made to the growing process may be contributing to lower effectiveness."
According to the CDC (center for disease control), this year’s shot includes H1N1, H3N2, but the changes could be making the H3N2 strain less potent which would limit the immune response it triggers in the body. This could lead to people remaining susceptible even if they got their flu shot. Scientists, while trying to shift away from egg-based vaccine production, have not yet found a reliable alternative.
Should you survive the season without getting vaccinated?
No, says leading experts. Even if it isn't effective against one strain, it will protect you against the others. When it comes to viruses, the science is clear: some protection is better than none.
GET A FLU SHOT!
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3 comments:
Amen!!
I liked your blog. I will repeat what UNMC transplant relayed to me: "during the flu season, wash your hands, and wear a mask in the doctors office and the waiting room." And I will add the pharmacy. Flu shot only good for two months, be extra cautious. Get to the doctor or ER if you are congested more than two days.
MMMMMM well this may come as a BIG surprise but my last flu shot was 1987 ... I'm more of a "Every Day" precautions against illness
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