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June 14, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Flu Season Was Mild to Moderate in U.S.--CDC"

Reuters (www.reuters.com) (06/13/02); Simao, Paul

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Thursday that the 2001-2002 influenza season in the United States was mild to moderate.  According to the CDC, A(H3N2) flu viruses were the most common strains seen, although a strain of influenza B virus that has not been seen in the United States for over a decade was also identified, possibly leading to increased susceptibility to flu infection.  The CDC noted that deaths from pneumonia and flu likely increased from the previous season, and flu-related hospitalizations among children between the ages of six months and 23 months of age were high.  For this reason, the CDC is adding healthy children in this age group to the list of individuals who should receive flu shots in October; senior citizens, individuals between the ages of six months and 64 years who have a medical condition like asthma or diabetes; and health care workers are among the others who should be vaccinated early.

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