打流感疫苗犹未为晚
http://www.100md.com
2000年12月8日
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - This year's flu season hasn't reached fever pitch just yet, so there's plenty of time to still get vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (news - web sites) (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia. Although distribution of this year's flu vaccine was delayed, the vaccine appears to be an excellent match for influenza strains circulating this year.
``Go ahead and get the flu vaccine, even if it's into January--the flu season can last until April, and the vaccine takes effect in about 2 weeks,'' CDC spokesperson Chuck P. Fallis, told Reuters Health.
The good match between vaccine and flu strains is one reason why this year's flu season has so far been relatively mild.
``The vaccine in healthy people is 70% to 90% effective, and since the strains are matching up, it'll be even closer to 90% effective in preventing influenza,'' Fallis said. ``I'm sure that's played a role in the slow start this year,'' he added.
As of late November, the health departments in 24 states and territories reported no influenza activity, 24 reported only sporadic activity, and only two--Kentucky and Texas--reported certain regions with high activity.
``No states reported widespread activity,'' according to CDC researchers. Their report is published in the December 8th issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Earlier this year, it was feared that vaccines would be in short supply given production problems that plagued vaccine manufacturers. Instead, adequate doses of vaccine were available--although delayed in many areas.
``We did not predict that this flu season would be any worse than any other flu season because of the delay in distributing the vaccine,'' Fallis said. ``Ultimately, the delay in distributing the vaccine will only be a couple of months, usually it's distributed by October, but we're expecting all the doses to be distributed by the end of this month,'' he said.
According to the CDC, persons at high risk of complications from influenza should be vaccinated first, as should people who live with high-risk persons and healthcare providers who care for people at high risk. Vaccination is recommended for all people over age 50.
``The best prevention against influenza is vaccination,'' CDC experts advise.
SOURCE: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2000;49:1085-1087., 百拇医药
``Go ahead and get the flu vaccine, even if it's into January--the flu season can last until April, and the vaccine takes effect in about 2 weeks,'' CDC spokesperson Chuck P. Fallis, told Reuters Health.
The good match between vaccine and flu strains is one reason why this year's flu season has so far been relatively mild.
``The vaccine in healthy people is 70% to 90% effective, and since the strains are matching up, it'll be even closer to 90% effective in preventing influenza,'' Fallis said. ``I'm sure that's played a role in the slow start this year,'' he added.
As of late November, the health departments in 24 states and territories reported no influenza activity, 24 reported only sporadic activity, and only two--Kentucky and Texas--reported certain regions with high activity.
``No states reported widespread activity,'' according to CDC researchers. Their report is published in the December 8th issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Earlier this year, it was feared that vaccines would be in short supply given production problems that plagued vaccine manufacturers. Instead, adequate doses of vaccine were available--although delayed in many areas.
``We did not predict that this flu season would be any worse than any other flu season because of the delay in distributing the vaccine,'' Fallis said. ``Ultimately, the delay in distributing the vaccine will only be a couple of months, usually it's distributed by October, but we're expecting all the doses to be distributed by the end of this month,'' he said.
According to the CDC, persons at high risk of complications from influenza should be vaccinated first, as should people who live with high-risk persons and healthcare providers who care for people at high risk. Vaccination is recommended for all people over age 50.
``The best prevention against influenza is vaccination,'' CDC experts advise.
SOURCE: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2000;49:1085-1087., 百拇医药