Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

August 20, 2008 4:17:34 PM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Flu Shot: Better Luck Next Year

Posted Feb 22, 08 4:04 AM CST in Science & Health 

(Newser) – Next year's influenza vaccine will be reformulated to include three new flu strains in the hope of developing a more potent vaccine than this year's effort, according to US News & World Report. An FDA panel approved the move, following the lead of the World Health Organization. This year's vaccine failed to combat the disease in most states because many of the infections have been caused by two strains not matched by the current flu shot.

Typically, vaccines include only one or two influenza strains. Some of the flu cases have also proved resistant to antiviral medication. "Clearly, there is influenza going around in a lot of states," said an infectious disease expert. "This is not the most effective vaccine that we've had." Despite the shortcomings, the US Centers for Disease Control still recommends people receive the vaccination because it provides some protection.

Source US News and World Report

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • This Year's Flu Vaccine Missing the Mark

    Feb 16, 08 6:45 AM CST
    This Year's Flu Vaccine Missing the Mark Flu season peaks in early February and experts say this could be a very bad year. Health officials say that is partly because this year's flu vaccines aren't effective enough, the AP reports. "Every area of the country is experiencing lots of flu right now," said a doctor from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More »

A woman gets a flu shot as part of a national vaccination campaign against Influenza in San Jose, Monday, Feb. 18, 2008. (AP Photo/Kent Gilbert)   (Associated Press)
A man receives a flu shot as part of a national vaccination campaign against Influenza in San Jose, Monday, Feb. 18, 2008. (AP Photo/Kent Gilbert)   (Associated Press)
A healthcare provider uses an empty sample sprayer to demonstrate how to administer FluMist(R) (Influenza Virus Vaccine Live, Intranasal) to a preschooler. (PRNewsFoto/MedImmune, Inc.)   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Flu Shots

Threads (1 of 1)

Tags

World Health Organization  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  • vaccine  • flu  • influenza  • flu shot  • Tamiflu  • Food & Drug Administration


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular


Other Science & Health Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »