Flu vaccine is available, effectiveBy Jill Coley (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Friday, October 3, 2008
The rapidly mutating influenza virus is to blame for the spike in flu last year. The 2007-08 flu season brought 30,607 cases to Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties, nearly twice the 15,922 cases reported the year before, according to S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control. Two unexpected strains that were not included in the vaccine tore through the population last year. That does not mean, however, that the vaccine is futile against strains other than the three for which it is designed. "Even if a person gets vaccinated and still catches influenza, vaccination will greatly reduce the chance of complications, such as hospitalization, pneumonia and death," said Dr. Robert Ball, a DHEC epidemiologist. The vaccine still offers about 50 percent protection against known strains that are not included in the vaccine, and 80 percent protection against those for which it is designed. State health officials said there should be plenty of flu vaccine this year after ordering 8,000 doses. Last season, of the 9,710 doses the state ordered, about 6,400 were not used. Read more in tomorrow's editions of The Post and Courier. |
Article toolsSponsored Links |
|
Notice about comments: Charleston.net is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Charleston.net does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not charleston.net. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "suggest removal" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Full terms and conditions can be read here. |
Comments
This article has 1 comment(s)
Posted by blackwoman on October 3, 2008 at 7:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The flu vaccine is effective. The Flu-Mist intra-nasal vaccine needs to be widely available for administration to children of the appropriate age due to their realistic fear of needles. In North Carolina one can obtain Flu-Mist from a pharmacy (with a prescription)thus limiting the cost (along with lost wages and fuel costs) of an office visit. Primary care physicians also need to offer appointments during non-school hours so children can get vaccinated. I took the oral polio vaccine at school as a child. Why not administer Flu-Mist in schools with written parental consent?