Seasonal Influenza 2009-2010: ACIP Vaccination Recommendations
In this podcast, Dr. Tony Fiore discusses who should be vaccinated against seasonal flu during the 2009-2010 season. He explains who is at risk for severe illness from the flu and discusses the benefits of vaccination. Created: 9/2/2009 by National Center for Influenza and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD). Date Released: 9/02/2009
Author: National Center for Influenza and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD)

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   Each year the influenza virus changes and different strains become dominant. Due to the high mutability of the virus a particular vaccine formulation usually only works for about a year. It's good to get flu shots annually to protect against the most prevalent flu strains that year. Vaccination against influenza with a flu vaccine is strongly recommended for high-risk groups, such as children and the elderly.

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• Two thousand six hundred eighty-one (40.2%) specimens tested by U.S. World Health Organization (WHO) and National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) collaborating laboratories and reported to CDC/Influenza Division were positive for influenza.
• Approximately 89% of all influenza viruses being reported to CDC were novel influenza A (H1N1) viruses.
• The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) was below the epidemic threshold.
• Three influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported; two were associated with novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection and one was associated with seasonal influenza A (H1N1) virus infection.
• The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) was below the national baseline. Two of the 10 surveillance regions reported ILI above their region-specific baseline.
• Eight states reported geographically widespread influenza activity, nine states reported regional influenza activity, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 15 states reported local influenza activity, 17 states reported sporadic influenza activity, and one state did not report.

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2009-2010 Flu Season

   CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease. While there are many different flu viruses, the flu vaccine is designed to protect against the three main flu strains that research indicates will cause the most illness during the flu season. The vaccine can protect you from getting sick from these three viruses or it can make your illness milder if you get a different flu virus.

   Flu activity typically does not reach its peak in the U.S. until January or February. Getting the flu vaccine soon after it becomes available each year is always a good idea, and the protection you get from vaccination will last throughout the flu season. However, flu activity can occur as late as May so getting a vaccine later in the season, including in December, January or even later, and even if flu activity has already started in your area, can still offer protection in most years. SOURCE: CDC's Website

Does getting a flu shot really matter?

   This is a case where an images speaks louder than numbers or even words, look to the right and click on the graph to get THE BIGGER PICTURE.

For more graphs and weekly status please see the CDCs web page HERE From there, the focus wil turn to seniors with Senior Vaccination Day.

Flu Vaccination info on the CDC

   The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and its partners have designated January 10-16, 2010 as National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW). This event highlights the importance of continuing influenza (flu) vaccination through December, January, and beyond. - READ MORE - about how it affects, Kids, Seniors, and public health care workers.