With the vaccine shortage plaguing the nation, public health officials
are stressing that most people don't need a flu shot after
all. Moreover, chances are the flu vaccine will not necessarily
prevent the flu's miserable symptoms, which include:
- Fever
- Hacking cough
- Runny nose
- Body aches
Depending on the strain of virus and a person's age, the vaccine
may be anywhere from 52 to 90 percent effective. The elderly or
chronically ill will experience a higher level of effectiveness
from the shot, as it is supposed to jump-start the body's weakened
defenses. On the other hand, those who are younger and healthier
do not need the flu vaccine in order to survive the flu season (especially
during a shortage). Thus, researchers explain there is no need to
fear the upcoming months.
Despite reassurances, many people have been adopting the "scarcity
mentality," driving them to hound doctors, workplace nurses
and supermarket clinics for a dose of the vaccine. This is due to
the fact that the vaccine supply is limited, leaving people feeling
unprotected or out of control.
However, just last year 4 million doses of the flu vaccine went
unused, despite the alarming emergence of an influenza strain that
killed several children.
Also, when the vaccine was readily available
in 2002, only a small amount of those most susceptible to the flu
opted for shots. This included:
- People suffering from chronic illness: 28 percent
- Children 6-23 months: 30 percent
- Health care workers: 38 percent
Providers of the flu vaccine are rationing doses for patients who
need them most. Therefore, with 61 million available doses and 42.8
million Americans who really need anti-viral protection, disease
experts predict that there should be more than enough to go around.
For everyone else experts offer the following recommendations: Wash
your hands regularly, and if you do get sick, stay home and drink
hot soup.
ABC
News October 26, 2004
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