Posts Tagged as swine flu

This year’s flu shot composed of multiple strains, as always

Posted October 1, 2010 | Filed in CDC Alerts, Flu Shots, H1N1 (Swine Flu)

Given the prevalence of H1N1 last season, there have been a lot of mixed messages floating around regarding the composition of this season’s flu vaccine. Here is the story: The 2010-2011 seasonal influenza vaccine consists of protection against the H1N1 strain, plus two additional influenza strains that have been identified as the primary circulating influenza strains for this year. You can visit the Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC) Web site for more detailed information on the specific strains it includes.

It’s important to know that this is not a change from previous seasons.  Every year, the influenza vaccine is compromised of three strains.  According to the CDC, “the viruses used in making seasonal flu vaccines are chosen each year based on information collected over the previous year about which influenza viruses are spreading and what vaccine viruses would offer the best protection against circulating viruses.”

Last year’s flu season (2009-2010) was not the norm. Because of the emergence of the new H1N1 virus, two vaccines were needed: one to prevent seasonal influenza viruses that were anticipated to spread and another to prevent influenza caused by the newly emerged 2009 H1N1 virus[i]. If the 2009 H1N1 virus had emerged sooner, it would have been included in the seasonal vaccine. That is why we saw a second flu vaccine created last year to protect against the new flu virus[ii].

The ability of the influenza virus to shift to different strains from one season to the next, or even within the course of one flu season, explains why you can potentially get the flu year after year[iii]. This is also why you hear the recommendations to get a new flu shot each year- because you could potentially be infected by a different flu strain that is unfamiliar to your immune system. This is also precisely why it is so important to get a flu shot. It gives your immune system a leg up in protecting you against these new or unfamiliar strains.

Everyone ages 6 months and older is now recommended to receive seasonal influenza vaccine, regardless of past immunization history.  Even those individuals who received monovalent H1N1 in 2009 require a new 2010 seasonal influenza shot for maximum protection.

This flu season, don’t take any risks, protect yourself by getting a flu shot today!

[ii] http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/current-season.htm

[iii] http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/current-season.htm

What happened to H1N1?

Posted August 24, 2010 | Filed in Flu Shots, Flu Tips, H1N1 (Swine Flu), Risk/Priority Groups

Last flu season, the H1N1 virus, more commonly known as Swine flu, became the first global influenza pandemic in more than 40 years. While the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the pandemic over, H1N1 remains a threat this flu season and the CDC says that “it is likely that 2009 H1N1 viruses will continue to spread along with seasonal viruses in the U.S. during the 2010-2011 flu season.” (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/1011season.htm)

Last year the H1N1 virus “resulted in substantial illness, hospitalizations and deaths,” according to the CDC. While the virus is not expected to be as widespread as last season, it remains one of the strains likely to infect individuals this season.  Like other years, the best way to protect yourself from flu is through a flu shot. And while last year the H1N1 vaccine was a separate vaccination from the annual seasonal flu vaccine, this year, protection against last year’s H1N1 virus is included in the seasonal flu vaccine.

The CDC has also expanded its recommendations for who should get vaccinated. The CDC now recommends that everyone six months and older get a 2010-2011 flu vaccine to protect themselves against influenza. While people age 50 and older remain a high risk group for seasonal influenza, the H1N1 virus disproportionately affected younger patients in the 2009-2010 influenza season. In fact, the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from July 30 states that “279 laboratory-confirmed, influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported, nearly four times the average reported in the previous five influenza seasons.”

Learn more about seasonal flu and H1N1
Use findaflushot.com’s resource center to learn more about the differences between seasonal flu and H1N1 and find out more information about flu and flu vaccines by reading through these frequently asked questions. Please consult the CDC Web site for additional information on who should be vaccinated and be sure to speak to your health care provider before any vaccinations.

Schedule a flu shot reminder
Need a reminder to get a flu shot? Sign up for a flu shot reminder and receive an e-mail in your inbox reminding you to get vaccinated. Also, check back on findaflushot.com on September 1 to search for flu vaccine clinics in your area for the 2010-2011 season.