| ■ Flu outbreaks reported in 11 states | 2008.02.04 |
| WASHINGTON - Flu season is in full swing, with wide outbreaks in 11 states — and a new strain is starting to emerge that this year's vaccine doesn't specifically target, the government's public health chief said Friday. People still should get their flu shot, and there's plenty available, Dr. Julie Gerberding, head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told The Associated Press. So far, the majority of flu cases are being caused by strains that are a good match to the vaccine — and it should provide some cross-protection against the new bug, too, Gerberding stressed. "We're still very optimistic" about the protection, Gerberding said. "If people haven't gotten their flu shot, it really is still not too late." Every year, the flu infects up to 20 percent of the population, causes the hospitalization of 200,000 people and kills 36,000. |