TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Flu Vaccine Is Off Mark This Year

ADVERTISEMENT

By DAVID BROWN, The Washington Post

Published: February 11, 2008

Seasonal influenza is spreading widely throughout the United States, with nearly half the cases caused by strains of the virus that are not directly covered by this year's flu vaccine.

Whether the infection rate will be worse this winter remains to be seen. Flu mortality in adults has been higher than in the past two years, but deaths in children - an important marker of severity - have been rare.

Nevertheless, this winter is likely to be one of the few times that public health experts lose the bet they make each year when they devise the formula for the flu vaccine - eight months before the virus starts circulating in the fall. Experts must decide on the formulation then because of the time it takes to produce mass quantities of the vaccine.

"Most years, the prediction is very good," said Joseph Bresee, an influenza epidemiologist at the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "In 16 of the last 19 years, we have had a well-matched vaccine."

But probably not this time.

As a defense, CDC officials say vaccination, even now, may be of some benefit. They say antiviral drugs can prevent infections and lessen their severity, and are especially useful in people at high risk for flu complications because of other illnesses. They also urge people to cover their coughs, wash their hands often and stay home if they are sick.

Meanwhile, influenza virologists from around the world will gather in Geneva this week to decide the formula for next year's vaccine.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT