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January 08, 2003

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Flu Deaths Surge Amid Concerns for Elderly Care"

Wall Street Journal (www.wsj.com) (01/08/03) P. D2; Carnns, Ann

A new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study, published in today's Journal of the American Medical Association, indicates that deaths from influenza have risen during the past two decades and are much higher than was previously thought.  Researchers now believe that the flu kills an average of 36,000 people per year in the United States, with 90 percent of the victims over the age of 64.  The CDC study also revealed that infections caused by the respiratory syncytial virus take the lives of another 11,000 people, also primarily among the elderly.  CDC flu expert Keiji Fukuda says that the new data underscores the need for more flu vaccinations, particularly for the elderly and those with chronic illnesses as well as those at risk.  Dr. Fukuda warns that the so-far mild flu season will probably worsen soon, so those who have not gotten vaccinated should do so now.

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