Why flu season is expected to be more intense this year
(Harrisburg) — Reports of flu cases across Pennsylvania more than doubled in the most recent weekly count, and experts are warning the worst is still to come.
Every year, the US Food and Drug Administration decides what flu strains the vaccine will protect against, based on data from 141 influenza centers across the world.
This year’s includes protection against a strain similar to H3N2, but its not exact.
Doctors are saying this year’s vaccine is less effective than usual.
The strain is responsible for sickening most of the people diagnosed with the flu this year, according to Dr. John Goldman, an infectious disease specialist at Pinnacle Health.
“The virus changed slightly, so the vaccine is less effective this year. It’s expected to be about 50 to 60 percent effective,” says Dr. Goldman.
Goldman says the vaccine is usually 70 to 80 percent effective at preventing the flu
He wants to make one thing clear though – getting the vaccine is still worth it, because it can also keep you from getting sicker if you do get the flu.
The flu is typically blamed for 120 – 200 deaths in Pennsylvania every year, but Goldman and others expect an even higher number this year.
“We’re seeing, in Pennsylvania, a real uptick, a real increase in flu activity. I would expect over the next couple weeks, we’ll see a lot more flu,” says Goldman, adding that the state has already called flu activitiy “widespread.”
This article appeared originally on witf.org.
