flu vax, do we know if this years strain matches?

[jessjgh1]

Sorry if I totally missed this, tried a few searches and came up with nothing- which is probably my error.... Anyways, hope the subject makes sense.
The flu vax has been out long enough, shouldn't we 'know' if it matches the flu strains seen, or not? In past years it hasn't been that effective and I was thinking and wondering about this years.
If I was thinking about vaxing, I'd probably wait till about now, or flu was showing up before thinking about doing it... taking the chance of getting an early flu with the 'benefit' of at least knowing if the strain might be more likely to help.

There was just a death in our area of a healthy (ie/ non compromised) 12 year old boy. If it comes up (which is unlikely since my family is out of town) I just wanted to have something more to say.
Just by chance, at any of my opty's for dc to get the shot they were coming down with colds or just finishing one, so I should have been advised that it might not be the best time for vaxes.... Of course, I never was and I politely declined, pointing out that it probably wasn't the best time for a shot since dd (or ds) was sick. : (I hope I'm not rambling too much, but I mean, I had no intention of giving the flu shot or any other, but I usually kinda just see what comes up, my pedi knows we are declining, but the nurses often bring it up, etc. They have never suggested delaying when we've been sick, which just makes me sad/irked).

Just wondering if they got the strain right this year and if others see some logic in waiting- weighing the issue out some more then. I'll be interested to see how the media pulls this one, they already are 'reminding' us we can still get the shot and that flu season can go till April-- but no mention of the shot's (in)effectiveness. Interesting, but also scary and terribly sad that a 12 year old died (and no release yet of info if he was or wasn't vaccinated for the flu). Here's the link to the story in the Boston Globe: http://www.boston.com/news/health/bl...arold_boy.html

Jessica

[FernG]

The flu vaccine doesn't match. It was on the news a few weeks ago. There was also a thread here about it. Sorry that your search didn't turn up anything.

[FernG]

Here is the MDC link -
http://mothering.com/discussions/sho....php?t=1025640

[LindsayK]

Originally Posted by jessjgh1

Interesting, but also scary and terribly sad that a 12 year old died (and no release yet of info if he was or wasn't vaccinated for the flu).

FWIW - NPR had the update on my way to work this morning. He was unvaccinated (he lost the permission slip) and as of now, they are saying they don't know of any other sickness that would have compromised his immune system. Very sad.

I wish they'd have more details about what happened - was he essentially healthy, but living on a diet of soda and cookies? Or essentially healthy (except for those 5 colds with antibiotics in the last 3 months) or what his health status was. I'm guessing we'll never know the details.

[tmaue]

I also wonder in these situations, did he have a fever that they lowered, was he given other drugs or antivirals to 'help' his sickness, was he offered Vit. C to help, etc. Alot of times how a sickness is treated is the cause of the problems, not the sickness itself. We rarely find the answers to these types of questions.

[cloudswinger]

Originally Posted by FernG

The flu vaccine doesn't match. It was on the news a few weeks ago. There was also a thread here about it. Sorry that your search didn't turn up anything.

This isn't completely true. They make up the flu vaccine to match 3 types of viruses, and 2 of the 3 match. It just happens that the one that doesn't match is the one most prevalent in the US/Canada. The ones that do match are the ones going around Europe and Asia. So, basically, it works for the rest of the world!

It's a crapshoot anyway, the virus evolves so quickly. I don't bother. But then again, I live in a warmer area where you're less likely to get the flu anyway.

[mama1803]

Well, earlier this week our local newspaper ran a story about how the flu has hit our area hard. Two docs interviewed for the article said that many of the flu patients they have seen were indeed vaccinated. They also expressed surprised at the large number of flu cases because our area has, apparently, a high vaccination rate. A third doc, an infectious disease specialist at the local hospital, was asked about the best way to prevent the flu---she said get the flu shot, it's not too late! :

My dh had the flu earlier this week. His fever never went above 101 degrees. He had lots of fluids, lots of chicken soup, and lots of vit C and was up and about within 48 hours. The rest of us in the house never got the flu and we are all unvaxed.