Newswise — STRATFORD, N.J. – The announcement by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that this year’s flu vaccine is not an exact “match” for circulating viruses should ring some bells (the warning kind) this holiday season.
“The flu virus is a ‘gift’ that no one wants to get,” said Dr. Charlene Chick of the Department of Family Medicine at the Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine (RowanSOM). “It can easily hitch a ride on a handshake, hug or kiss, which makes the CDC’s announcement just before the holiday season even more worrisome.”
Depending on the type administered, the annual flu vaccine is designed to protect against three or four different flu viruses that are expected to circulate widely. However, if a different strain of the virus appears, the ability of the vaccine to protect against the flu will be diminished.
“Early results showed that about half of the viruses found in patients this season were variants of the type targeted by the vaccine,” said Dr. Chick. “This could increase the likelihood that even those who have been vaccinated will become ill.”
According to the CDC, a similar scenario has occurred three times in the past decade. The most recent time, the 2012-2013 flu season, caused more than 381,000 flu-related hospitalizations.
Because this could lead to a more severe flu season, Dr. Chick urges these extra precautions during the holiday season:
Get a vaccine – today. It’s not too late to vaccinate and your body will maximize its ability to ward off the flu within two weeks. Flu season continues throughout the winter months and into mid-spring. Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands. Lather up for 20-30 seconds before rinsing. Teach young children to sing the “ABC” song or two verses of “Happy Birthday” to approximate 20 seconds. Be a vampire. Avoid spreading germs by doing a ‘vampire sneeze’ into your elbow or shoulder when tissues aren’t available. A bonus: kids may think this is fun to do.Don’t misuse those tissues. Have tissues handy wherever you go, and toss them out immediately after use. Avoid sick people. Hard to do during the holidays, but postpone visits to someone who has the flu, and try to keep six feet away from anyone who is coughing or sneezing. Don’t touch that face. Touching your eyes, nose or mouth could allow you to become infected by viruses on your hands.Just say ‘no’ to work. Everyone has “important” work to do, but going back to work or school before you have fully recovered increases the risk that you will spread illness to colleagues. You can infect others beginning one day before you notice flu symptoms and up to five to seven days after becoming sick.
Dr. Chick emphasizes that getting vaccinated is an important first step to protecting yourself and others this season. “Even if the vaccine isn’t a perfect match to all the flu viruses in circulation, evidence from past seasons shows that being vaccinated will also lessen the impact that any other strain of the virus can have on you,” she said.
About Rowan UniversityRowan University is a state-designated public research institution with campuses in Glassboro, Camden and Stratford, N.J., that offers bachelor’s through doctoral programs to 14,000 students. With its Camden-based Cooper Medical School of Rowan University and the Stratford-based School of Osteopathic Medicine, Rowan is only the second university in the nation to grant both M.D. and D.O. medical degrees. Rowan also is collaborating with Rutgers-Camden to create degree programs related to the growth of medical services needed in the future. Recently designated as the State’s newest comprehensive public research institution, Rowan plans to increase sponsored research to $100 million per year.
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