Tuesday, January 15 2013 10:00 AM EST2013-01-15 15:00:49 GMT
Work is underway for a new and improved flu shot. Every year, the vaccine is unique, formulated to build immunity to three different strains of the virus.
Work is underway for a new and improved flu shot. Every year, the vaccine is unique, formulated to build immunity to three different strains of the virus -- and next year, it will target four. But even better news is that researchers are close to developing a universal flu shot that would target all strains of the disease.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) -
The Minnesota Department of Health reported 33 more flu-related deaths in the state last week, raising the total to 60 deaths in Minnesota this flu season.
Officials say 88 percent of the deaths were patients age 65 or older, making up 53 of the 60 fatal cases this season. There were no deaths in the past week involving patients under the age of 24.
To put this year's flu outbreak in perspective, 33 people died during all of last flu season. While officials stopped short of calling this year's season an epidemic, they acknowledged the activity is above average.
All told, 476 people were hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza last week, Jan. 6 through Jan. 12. Since the start of the flu season, 1,842 patients have been hospitalized with the flu in Minnesota.
Nearly 100 schools reported outbreaks during the past week.
The CDC found this year's flu vaccine is 62 percent effective. That means those who get it have a 62 percent chance they won't have to see a doctor with flu symptoms. Those findings are consistent with a University of Minnesota study that found the seasonal flu vaccine only works 59 percent of the time in adults over a 45-year period.
Thursday, January 10 2013 12:25 PM EST2013-01-10 17:25:49 GMT
Those who have been vaccinated can still get the flu, but some people confuse colds with the flu too. FOX 9 News spoke with Dr. Archelle Georgiou about the difference.
Those who have been vaccinated can still get the flu, but some people confuse colds with the flu too. FOX 9 News spoke with Dr. Archelle Georgiou about the difference.
