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April 5, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Mild U.S. Flu Season Began to Wane in February"

Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (04/05/02) P. A24

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Thursday that the U.S. flu season appears to have peaked in late February.  At that time, more than 25 percent of all specimens sent to labs tested positive for the virus, but that number has since dropped to about 20 percent of all specimens.  The flu vaccine used this year was well matched against the most prevalent influenza strains, and the CDC's Scott Harper said the 2001-2002 flu season appeared to be milder than usual.

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