We’re sure you’ve seen news stories about this year’s flu vaccine being less effective due to the current virus mutating. Dr. Michelle Barron, head of UCH’s infectious diseases and prevention here at UCH, urges you and your families to still receive a flu shot. “Over time the flu virus can change enough that the vaccine we use may not be as effective as we would hope,” says Dr. Barron. “This years flu vaccine has 3 or 4 different flu strains (depending on whether you get the trivalent or quadrivalent vaccine). The vaccine may not be effective against one of the flu strains that is circulating, but it is effective against the others. In addition, if you were infected with the flu strain not covered by the vaccine, there is some data that suggest that the flu vaccine still provides some protection and may reduce the likelihood of severe outcomes such as hospitalization and death.” Basically, having some level of immune protection against the flu is better than no protection at all. Here’s a full story from the 7News and TheDenverChannel: bit.ly/1s1GsXK
Posted on: Fri, 05 Dec 2014 15:10:00 +0000
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