“So, the flu vaccine is worth getting”, Carranco said. This includes all rural county health departments and health department clinics in Chattanooga-Hamilton County, Jackson-Madison County, Knoxville-Knox County, Nashville-Davidson County, Shelby County and Sullivan County. But they haven’t had as many admissions or severe cases this year compared to 2009 when there was an outbreak of the swine flu.
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One Goldsboro woman said she waited this long to get her shot because she doesn’t like needles, but after recent reports, she made a decision to come get a vaccine.
Whether Ms. Clark had a flu shot is unknown, he said, but “we don’t believe she did”.
“They’re recommending now that it’s still OK and still safe to get a flu vaccine”, Fay said.
H3N2 is an A strain and had been the main form of the virus circulating earlier this season.
This death – the county’s first flu death this year – struck a nerve, Victor said.
Health reports state that nearly all of the patients who died from the virus were over the age of 50.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the number of states reporting heavy flu patient traffic also held steady at 43.
This year the flu vaccine is protecting only one-third of people who got the shot.
Kristy Bradley, state epidemiologist, said in the department’s press release that there is still time to get immunization, and she urges Oklahomans to get vaccinated. And, the Flu B strain is increasingly worrying health authorities. The vaccine was only 25 percent effective against that type.
One or two shots that confer lifetime or years-long immunity at near 100 percent effectiveness is the model we have for serious illnesses like measles, mumps, rubella and other viruses.
“Most flu does have cough, congestion, and fever with it”, said Dr. Nathan Ham, emergency room medical director at Medical City Las Colinas.
In a February 9 press release, Indiana State Health Commissioner Kris Box said, “This is a severe flu season, and unfortunately there are no signs that it has peaked yet”. Flu vaccine is protecting about one 1 in 3 people who have received the shot.
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“If you’re sick, stay home”, Austin said.
