Arizona’s last influenza season was record breaking. More than 35,000 people in Arizona were reported to be sick with flu – more people than during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic! Similarly, the rest of the country was hit hard last season with nearly one million Americans hospitalized and over 80,000 dying from flu. Getting your influenza [...]
On Saturday November 18, ADHS and Maricopa County Department of Public Health join in a new partnership with the Wildlife World Zoo to host a free influenza vaccine clinic accompanied with outreach on disease prevention. Last year at the Phoenix Zoo, the “Protect You and the Zoo from the Flu” event was successful in allowing public health officials to [...]
For millions of people every season, flu causes symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, fatigue, and miserable days spent in bed. Even more seriously, influenza results in hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands of deaths each year. Luckily, there are vaccines that can help to prevent the [...]
In public health, we know that flu is unpredictably affecting different populations at different times with different strains (remember the drift in 2014). Last week, CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended that due to low vaccine effectiveness, the nasal spray flu vaccine not be used this upcoming flu season. Once finalized by CDC, these recommendations will [...]
Lately it seems like there are a lot of people sick with a cold or the flu. Respiratory viruses often circulate in the wintertime, and this winter is no exception. But when your aunt skips out on a family dinner because she has the flu, is that really what’s making her sick, or does she [...]
Have you received your flu shot yet? December 6 - 12 is the National Influenza Vaccination Week. It's not too late to get vaccinated; especially with the peak flu season coming up. See how quick and easy my experience was. While your arm might be a little sore; it's worth it to avoid getting sick. [...]
Last flu season was a rough one, mainly because the influenza A (H3) strain in the vaccine did not match the circulating A (H3) strain that was making most people sick. This season, CDC believes the strains in the vaccine will be a good match against the currently circulating strains and provide better protection. Although the flu [...]
Influenza vaccine reduces a child's risk of flu-related intensive care hospitalization by 74% according to a CDC study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases. This is the first study that estimates vaccine effectiveness against flu admissions to pediatric intensive care units.
Every year the World Health Organization holds a meeting with worldwide experts to make recommendations for the next season’s Northern Hemisphere flu vaccine. It seems strange to plan for next season when we’re still in the midst of the current flu season, but the vaccine-making process still takes about 6 months. Influenza season generally ramps [...]
Influenza has been steadily spreading in Arizona over the last few weeks and this week we hit the Widespread Influenza threshold. In fact, the number of cases increased by 50% this week- and several Arizona emergency departments are backed up with substantial wait times. CDC’s report is due to come out Friday… but I’d guess that most states will [...]
