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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: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday December 07 2014, @11:34PM
Here at least, if a vaccine is a public health issue then it's compulsory. I've never seen a flu jab that was compulsory which leads me to believe they're not a public health issue and more just a recommended preventative measure for those in at-risk groups - namely those with weak immune systems or those in close contact with weak immune systems. Which, oddly enough, is exactly how it's offered to people.
Not sure what rabies has to do with the price of fish - most people and pets get given a vaccine at a young age and they're done with it. And I don't think there are very many diseases you can be vaccinated against post-infection...
(Score: 2) by sjames on Tuesday December 09 2014, @06:51AM
Animals are given prophylactic rabies vaccines. Humans only get the vaccine if they are at high risk or if they have been bitten by an animal that is suspected of being rabid (in practice, just about any animal bite unless the animal can be shown to not have rabies).
Rabies develops quite slowly and so the disease can be halted and reversed if the vaccine is given before it reaches the brain.