Immunization Newsbriefs (c) Copyright Information Inc., Bethesda, MD. Brought to you by the National Network for Immunization Information (NNii). Visit NNii's new website at http://www.immunizationinfo.org.
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December 06, 2002
U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS
"U.S. Flu Season Starts Slow, Should Pick Up Soon"
Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (12/05/02)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that although
the 2002 U.S. flu season has gotten a slow start, it will likely gain speed
in the near future. According to this week's Morbidity and Mortality
Weekly Report, just 0.5 percent of about 10,000 respiratory specimens
tested positive for influenza as of Nov. 23, and during the week ended Nov.
23, 28 states and New York City recorded no influenza activity. The CDC
notes that so far this year the flu strains showing up appear to be well
matched to the strains included in the current vaccine. In an effort to
boost flu immunization rates, particularly among individuals at high risk
for complications, the CDC and the American Medical Association have
designated Dec. 2 through Dec. 13 as the "National Influenza Vaccination
Catch-Up Fortnight."
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