Donald McNeil writes in the NYT that this year’s flu season may be deadlier than usual because this year’s flu vaccine is a relatively poor match to a new virus that is now circulating. “Flu is unpredictable, but what we’ve seen thus far is concerning,” says Dr. Thomas R. Frieden. According to the CDC, five U.S. children have died from flu-related complications so far this season. Four of them were infected with influenza A viruses, including three cases of H3N2 infections. The new H3 subtype first appeared overseas in March but because it was not found in many samples in the United States until September, it is now too late to change the vaccine. Because of the increased danger from the H3 strain — and because B influenza strains can also cause serious illness — the CDC recommends that patients with asthma, diabetes or lung or heart problems see a doctor at the first sign of a possible flu, and that doctors quickly prescribe antivirals like Tamiflu or Relenza. “H3N2 viruses tend to be associated with more severe seasons,” said Dr. Tom Frieden. “The rate of hospitalization and death can be twice as high or more in flu seasons when H3 doesn’t predominate.”
(Score: 2, Informative) by Jeremiah Cornelius on Sunday December 07 2014, @05:14PM
Swine Flu [cdc.gov]
In 1976, a national influenza campaign was designed to immunize nearly the entire United States population in fear of an influenza pandemic. However, the A/New Jersey/1976/H1N1 vaccine, also known as the "swine flu" vaccine, was found to be linked with the development of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and the program ended. This study was conducted to find the relationship between the vaccine and GBS effects.
In 2004 investigators at CDC collaborated with the department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, and the Department of Microbiology, National University of Ireland, Galway, to investigate anti-ganglioside antibody induction by swine flu and other influenza vaccines.
The following article explains the Immunization Safety Office's role in this initiative.
This study covers the methods, hypotheses, results, and limitations studied in regards to the swine flu vaccination. The study focuses on the immunization to the swine flu and how it was found to be linked to Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS).
Complete List of Articles
"Guillain-Barré syndrome following vaccination in the national influenza immunization program, United States, 1976-1977" [nih.gov] [cdc.gov] by L.B. Schonberger. Am J Epidemiol 1979 Aug;110(2):105-23.
"An epidemiologic an clinical evaluation of Guillain-Barré syndrome reported in association with the administration of swine influenza vaccines" [nih.gov] [cdc.gov] by A.D. Langmuir, D.J. Bregman, L.T. Kurland, N. Nathanson, and M. Victor. Am J Epidemiol 1984 Jun;119(6):841-79.
"Guillain-Barré syndrome and its relationship to swine influenza vaccination in Michigan, 1976-1977" [nih.gov] [cdc.gov] by JG Breman and JG Hayner. Am J Epidemiol 1984 Jun; 119(6):880-9.
"Reassessment of the association between Guillain-Barré syndrome and receipt of swine influenza vaccine in 1976-1977: results of a two-state study" [nih.gov] [cdc.gov] by TJ Safranek. Am J Epidemiol 1991 May 1;133(9):940-51.
"National surveillance for Guillain-Barré syndrome: January 1978-March 1979" [nih.gov] [cdc.gov] by ES Hurwitz, RC Holman, D.B. Nelson, and L.B. Schonberger. Neurology 1983 Feb;33(2):150-7.
"Guillain-Barré syndrome" [nih.gov] [cdc.gov] by R.A. Hughs and DR Cornblath. Lancet 2005 Nov 5;366(9497):1653-66.
Related Links
You're betting on the pantomime horse...
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday December 07 2014, @11:27PM
"increased risk was approximately 1 additional case of GBS per 100,000 people who got the swine flu vaccine" http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/guillainbarre.htm#what3 [cdc.gov]
Afraid of that? You probably should stay inside.