The 2015 Influenza Vaccine [Image: MedScape]
Seasonal influenza vaccines have been shipped to clinics, pharmacies, and hospitals in the United States this week, and not a moment too soon. ProMED reported this week that numerous cases were reported in Texas, notably including the densely populated Houston area. If you are inclined to get your annual flu shot (OR, you have complication risk factors such as pregnancy, asthma, COPD, or are aged 65+), the time to visit the clinic is NOW. As a reminder, full vaccine-derived immunity takes 12-14 days to generate.
Complicating things further, reports of cases associated with variant H1N1 and variant H3N2 flu isolates have also been reported. Utilizing additional infection control measures will be especially critical, starting now.