U.S. flu activity on rise; CDC urges priority groups to get vaccinated

Flu activity has risen steadily in the U.S. since mid-December and does not appear to have peaked, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported today. The agency strongly encouraged people in flu vaccine priority groups to seek vaccination, noting that flu viruses may continue to circulate for several more months. It said both inactivated flu vaccine and nasal spray vaccine are generally available, though supplies vary by area, and encouraged people to contact their doctor or local health department to learn where vaccine is available. In addition, CDC said, an inactivated flu vaccine produced by GlaxoSmithKline for use in Europe will become available later this month at clinics in areas of the U.S. where the need for vaccine persists. Once the clinics are identified, information on their location will be available through local and state public health authorities by calling the CDC flu hotline, (800) 232-4636.

From AHA News Now - January 14, 2005

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