There's no worldwide flu pandemic this year, no shuttered schools, no crisis atmosphere. But doctors, health officials and especially private pharmacies are ready to needle us again, anyway.
The 2010-2011 influenza season will be different in several ways. First, the H1N1 ``swine flu'' that disrupted our lives last year is still around, but without its old punch. And it'll be joined by two other flu viruses more typical of seasons past.
Second, last season's flu struck children and pregnant women hardest. This year's more typical season could be tougher for senior citizens. Drug makers have even created a stronger vaccine for them.
Also unlike last year, vaccine shortages are not expected. Federal officials, criticized for issuing swine flu vaccine very late last year, opened this year's pipeline in August. Pharmaceutical companies plan to pump out 165 million doses, a 40 percent increase.
And this year, due to a new law, it'll be easier than ever to get flu vaccine from private pharmacies.
Still, health officials can't say whether it will be a hard flu season or an easy one.
``Flu seasons are unpredictable,'' says the U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control on its website.
Here are some questions and answers about the coming flu season:
Q: How bad a season should we expect?
A: There's no way of knowing. ``Although epidemics of flu happen every year, the timing, severity and length depends on many factors, including what influenza viruses are spreading and whether they match the viruses in the vaccine,'' the CDC says. Last year, nearly 100 percent of all influenza was of the H1N1 ``swine flu'' strain. This year, experts predict a return to older patterns with at least three strains of flu circulating.
Q: What difference will that make?
A: Last year's swine flu was hard on kids, easier on seniors. Only 10 percent of last year's swine flu fatalities were 65 and older. In a typical year, 90 percent of influenza victims are seniors. This flu season is expected to be more like a typical year.
Q: What can seniors do?
A: For the first time, the CDC has approved a new High-Dose Fluzone vaccine for seniors made by Sanofi Pasteur containing four times the amount of antigen (the active ingredient) of a regular flu shot. That's because aging makes a body less able to generate a robust immune response when vaccinated.
Q: Last year, there were two flu shots. This year, there's only one. Why?
A: Every year, health experts get together in February, try to determine what strains of flu are going around and devise a seasonal vaccine against the three most prevalent. Last year, H1N1 influenza showed up after the seasonal flu vaccine was formulated, so the CDC quickly added a second shot for H1N1 swine flu.
Q: What will be in this year's vaccine?
A: This year's vaccine will counter last year's H1N1 virus, the Perth H3N2 virus and the B Brisbane virus.
Q: What are these viruses like?
A: The H1N1 is like last year's swine flu virus. The Perth virus was first identified last year but didn't circulate widely. Those who got last year's seasonal flu shot will not be protected against it, the CDC says. A few cases of Perth cropped up in Iowa in June and July of this year, it says. The Brisbane virus circulated in some areas in 2008. Last year's seasonal flu shot contained antigens for the Brisbane virus, so those who got the shot might have some protection.
Q: Last year, some age groups were asked to wait to get their shots until high-risk groups were vaccinated. Will that be the case this year?
A: No. This year there's plenty of vaccine, and everyone over 6 months of age is urged to be vaccinated unless they have contraindications. People allergic to eggs should avoid the vaccine because eggs are used to make it.
Q: Where can I get the vaccine?
A: From your doctor, county clinics, retail pharmacies and some supermarkets. The Miami-Dade County Health Department is offering flu shots at its Downtown Clinic, 1350 NW 14th St., Miami; its Little Haiti Clinic, 300 NE 80th Ter., Miami; and its West Perrine Clinic, 18255 Homestead Ave. Call 786-845-0550. Shots are free to those younger than 18 and older than 64. Others pay $25. The Broward Health Department urges residents to contact their private physicians. Both departments will work with schools to vaccinate children.
Q: Will pharmacies have the vaccine?
A: In spades. Encouraged by last year's boom in vaccinations, pharmacies are competing to provide the shots. They're dueling on price, charging $20 to $30 for the shots. The enthusiasm stems from a new law allowing pharmacists with special training to give the shots to adults. Until the 2008-2009 flu season, only pharmacies with walk-in clinics staffed by nurse practitioners or physicians' assistants were permitted to give flu shots. Now, pharmacists who take a 20-hour state course in giving shots, handling allergic reactions and administering CPR may give them.
Q: With no dire predictions and no pandemic, will people line up this year to get their shots?
A: ``It's a difficult situation,'' says Samir Elmir, director of environmental health for the Miami-Dade Health Department. ``We will try to educate the public as well as possible about the need to vaccinate.''
By Fred Tasker.
No comments:
Post a Comment