US : Health officials remain on guard as flu season nears

Via Sea Coast Online :

" This year's flu season doesn't seem to be a pandemic launch of a new strain like last year's H1N1 virus, but public health officials are still urging precaution and prevention.

A seasonal flu vaccine will be offered this year that will protect against three strains of influenza including H1N1, also known as swine flu. While seasonal flu has begun circulating throughout the country, it has not yet hit New Hampshire and no new strains of the virus are popping up, according to state officials.

The state has not had a positive flu test since April, said Deputy State Epidemiologist Dr. Jodie Dionne-Odom, but officials are urging everyone age 6 months and older to receive the new vaccination. The only people not recommended to have the vaccine are babies younger than 6 months and people with severe egg allergies.

"People who were vaccinated last year still need to get this vaccination because it targets different strains," Dionne-Odom said. "We can't say if the virus will be the same in predominance where younger people were affected more than older people, so we are preparing everyone. Everyone should be vaccinated. It really is the best way to protect yourselves."

New Hampshire is expected to receive state-ordered shipments of flu vaccine later this month. The state oversees ordering vaccines for children through its childhood immunization program, and those shipments are expected to go out to health care providers by month's end. Providers order on their own for adults."