Information about Influenza Vaccine

Influenza Vaccine

Each year, the influenza vaccine contains three influenza viruses-one A (H3N2) virus, one A (H1N1) virus, and one B virus. The viruses in the vaccine change based on projections about which flu viruses will circulate in a given year.

Joe Bresee, MD, from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said, "Even when there is less than an ideal match, there is still some cross-protection. This is especially true for high-risk populations. Getting a flu vaccine may reduce the risk of death or hospitalization from the disease."

Is this year’s flu vaccine a good match?

Last week, the CDC reported that 93% of the circulating influenza B viruses analyzed to date don't match the influenza B component of this year's vaccine, and the vaccine likely provides little cross-protection for influenza B.

So even if you received the flu vaccine this year - Wash, Cover, and Wear to protect yourself and others from influenza!

See the following links for more information.

http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/general/news/feb0808flu.html
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/season.htm