For the first time in ten years, I got the flu. I wonder why? I was up and at em' on New Year's Day ready to start my new personal and business resolutions. By night time, to quote the late Gilda Radner of Saturday Night Live fame, "I thought I was gonna die!"The next morning I woke up with all the signs of the full blown flu...body aches, cough, congested chest. I was really mad, but who could I blame? Back in October my doctor told me that she did not have a flu supply, and wouldn't have any in the foreseeable future.
It lasted 15 days! The truly worst part was that at mid-morning I felt like going back to bed. No energy whatsoever.
Why was there a shortfall in flu vaccine for this season?
On October 5, 2004, CDC was notified by Chiron Corporation that none of its influenza vaccine (Fluvirin®) would be available for distribution in the United States for the 2004–05 influenza season. The company indicated that the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the United Kingdom, where Chiron’s Fluvirin vaccine is produced, has suspended the company’s license to manufacture Fluvirin vaccine in its Liverpool facility for 3 months, preventing any release of this vaccine for this influenza season. This action reduced by approximately one half the expected supply of trivalent inactivated vaccine (flu shot) available in the United States for the 2004–05 influenza season.
So, as the flu tends to peak in February, and flu shots became available in New York City on January 21st, I wondered if it made any sense at all to get the shot, or just figure I'd be ok. I decided to get in touch with Dr.Holly Atkinson,who has been associated with iVillage.com for more than four years as Chair of iVillage’s Health Initiatives, and is now the Web Site’s Women’s Health Contributing Editor.In addition, she is Assistant Professor of Public Health at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University.
HealthNewsDigest.com: Does the flu season typically peak in February?
Dr.Holly Atkinson: The flu season typically begins in October and continues into February. As we head into the peak of flu season, I encourage people who get the flu to take care of themselves. There are ways to alleviate the discomfort – take an over-the-counter medication like Advil Flu for Body Ache or Robitussin DM for a cough. Drink plenty of liquids, rest, avoid alcohol, and if you live alone be sure to contact a friend or family member to check up on you.
HealthNewsDigest.com: Is the flu vaccine available to everyone now?
A: There has been discussion during the past few days that the CDC will lift the restrictions and open the flu vaccines to everyone and anyone. As of right now, people should check with their doctor to see if the vaccine is available in their local area and if they are eligible. Note that there are some people who should not get the flu vaccine; they include anyone with a severe allergy to chicken eggs, a previous severe reaction to a vaccination, children under 6 months and people who are sick with a fever.
HealthNewsDigest.com: If you've already had the flu, do you need to get vaccinated to prevent another case?
Dr.Holly Atkinson: No. Once you’ve had the flu in one season, you do not need to get vaccinated. Having the flu, protects you against getting the strain of the flu again in that year.
So, there you have it. My birthday is October 13th, which I remind myself every year is primetime for a drive to New England and, a flu shot! Give yourself a reminder...it's worth it!
Michael J. McCurdy
Founder/Publisher
HealthNewsDigest.com
1461A First Avenue
New York, NY 10021
tvmike13@healthnewsdigest.com
news@healthnewsdigest.com
Cell: 917.843.8637
Office: 212.396.3585
© 2005 HealthNewsDigest.com