Flu Season Deaths Reach Epidemic Level but May Be at Peak, C.D.C. Says

[Omaha Steve]

Source: NY Times

By DONALD G. McNEIL Jr.

Deaths in the current flu season have officially crossed the line into “epidemic” territory, federal health officials said Friday, adding that, on the bright side, there were also early signs that the caseloads could be peaking.

Officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, speaking on a telephone news conference, again urged Americans to keep getting flu shots. At the same time, they emphasized that the shots are not infallible: a preliminary study rated this year’s vaccine as 62 percent effective, even though it is a good match for the most worrisome virus circulating. That corresponds to a rating of “moderately” effective — the vaccine typically ranges from 50 percent to 70 percent effective, they said.

Even though deaths stepped — barely — into epidemic territory for the first time last Saturday, the C.D.C. officials expressed no alarm, and said it was possible that new flu infections were peaking in some parts of the country. “Most of the country is seeing a lot of flu and that may continue for weeks,” said Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, the C.D.C.’s director.

New outpatient cases — a measure based on what percentage of doctor visits were for colds or flu — dropped off slightly from the previous week, to 4 percent from 6 percent. The trend was more pronounced in the South, where this year’s season began.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/12/health/us-flu-deaths-reach-epidemic-levels-but-may-be-peaking.html?_r=0

[Nay]

1. I just got over it (yes, had the shot) and my workplace is rife with illness. If that's any

indication, I think we have a month or two left of lots of flu cases.

[fascisthunter]

2. but the company I work for, that bought the one I worked for before...

... thought it would be a great way of assessing who was a weak link at my company, production-wise. No consideration for the epidemic of course... all about the investors being able to wiggle their ball sacks by a poolside.

This month time sheets are being examined by new upper management. Right in time to cut the fat.

[SoapBox]

3. I got mine December 3rd...

so it should be in full effect.

BUT, what has been bringing down family and other is just plain old NASTY cold shit, as well as bronchitis.

I never got flu shots years ago...then about 5 years ago, my doctor (who never really pushed it) said, ya know, you might want to consider a flu shot since you are around all sorts of people that are too dumb to stay home (I'm in "customer" service) when they are getting and/or are already sick.

Hey, if it helps...and, I wash my hands until my skin feels like it will fall off.

p.s...forgot to say, my company REALLY pushed it...clinics all over the place and they started early (no charge under the insurance). They just put out a memo about it again, last week and pointed out company locations where you can still get it (as well as reminding everyone that there is no charge via insurance.)