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November 6, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Flu: Give It a Shot"

Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (11/05/02) P. F1; Huget, Jennifer

With between 92 million and 97 million doses, this year's flu vaccine is in ample supply in the United States, and for the cost of about $20, one injection can protect a person from a disease that kills nearly 20,000 Americans annually.  This year's vaccine includes protection against a variant of the Hong Kong B virus similar to a strain that was epidemic in the United States in 1988, one that is predicted to hit again this year.  New this year also is the expansion of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's high-risk list for flu, to include children between six months and 23 months in age, although the recommendation has not yet been made official.  The vaccine is not approved for children under six months of age, but to extend protection to them, the CDC is including caregivers of infants and toddlers on its priority-vaccination list.

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