FDA Approves
2008-09 Flu Vaccines, Targets New Strains
[Posted 08/12/2008]
The US
Food and Drug Administration has approved the
vaccines that will be used for the upcoming flu
season. Each season’s vaccines are altered to
anticipate the three virus strains most likely to be
circulating. All three strains were changed this
year, which officials called an “unusual
occurrence.”
There’s always the chance that the scientists’ best
guesses regarding which strains will be prevalent
will fall short, as was the case during the 2007-08
US flu season when the vaccines’ overall success
rate was about 44%. But even if the vaccines and
the circulating strains aren’t an exact match, they
will provide some protection and may reduce the
severity of the illness or prevent flu-related
complications, officials said.
Related Links:
Healthfinder.gov News Article
CDC Seasonal Flu Website
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