CDC: This year's flu virus has mutated; vaccine less effective

[davidn3600]

This year’s flu vaccine is not as effective against the current strain of the influenza virus because the virus has mutated, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday in an advisory to doctors.

The advisory said 52% of the 85 influenza virus samples collected and analyzed from October 1 through November 22 were different than the virus strains included in this year’s vaccine, indicating a mutation, or drift, of the strain.

The most common strain of the virus reported so far this season is influenza A (H3N2). In the past this strain has been linked to higher rates of hospitalization and death, especially for those at high risk for complications, which is usually the very young, the elderly and those with chronic health conditions.

In February a panel of experts decided on 3 strains of the virus to include in this year’s vaccine. The decision is based on common strains circulating around the globe throughout the year. That information is used to predict which strains will be common during the upcoming flu season. Some years the vaccine is a better match to the circulating strains than others.

http://wgntv.com/2014/12/04/flu-shot-less-effective-this-year-because-current-virus-has-mutated-cdc/

Experts say that the vaccine will still reduce the severity of symptoms...but be aware that you are not fully protected from the mutated strain.

[jberryhill]

1. Well, this year you definitely can't pick your friend's nose

[FunkyLeprechaun]

2. The CDC is now as effective as Karen Smith in Mean Girls

"Lemme see if my boobs tell me if the flu virus has mutated... yep, the flu virus has mutated."

This happens when an agency backs a procedure that supports child mutilation, they've lost all credibility.

[Drahthaardogs]

3. What the heck are you talking about?

You do realize that when it is summer here, it is winter in the Southern Hemisphere right? So their flu season is in our summer? Well, the CDC uses that little bit of information, e.g. what flu viruses are circulating the globe during their flu season, and makes an educated guess what viruses will most likely be circulating when our turn comes.

It has a pretty good track record, but like predicting the weather, it is not perfect science. What on earth does talking to one's titties and child mutilation have to do with using an algorithm and models based upon historic trends to make a scientific assumption?

[FunkyLeprechaun]

5. hehe

Anyway, this is the thread http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=5899228

I now don't believe any of the hogwash that comes out of the CDC's mind and I truly believe there are very good doctors who work very hard to prove their theories on these issues and now are saddled with the CDC's idiocy.

[uppityperson]

8. Just because "benefits outweigh the risks" of circumcision, it still doesn't mean benefits outweigh

doing nothing. That is what struck me about their statement. It wasn't comparing "teach how to wash" vs "snip", but what are the risks vs what are the benefits of doing it.

1. teach hygeine
2. snip benefits
3. snip risks

They seem to be comparing #2 and 3, ignoring #1.

[FunkyLeprechaun]

9. Yep

They didn't seem to care. So I'm now automatically assuming that any report they release, they don't care anymore.

"Oh lets report on a new strain of flu, despite our vaccinations... oh well... " (the EU was steps ahead of them in this case.... as bloody usual)

[uppityperson]

11. I'd rather report whether or not they were able to successfully guess the strain or not than

lie and say they did or just say nothing.

[Crunchy Frog]

13. Also, their official guidelines on Ebola said that

Any US hospital could safely treat it using only basic contact and droplet precautions. They said that a person with symptoms, recently from West Africa, should not be considered as potentially having Ebola if their temp was below 101.5, part of the reason that Duncan was sent home the first time. And they told an exposed nurse that it was fine for her to travel on a commercial airline while running a low grade fever.

They've also had recent scandals involving major safety lapses in their labs leading to resignations.

And now they're taking us back to the 19th Century with their official promotion of child genital cutting.

Yeah, I don't trust them at this point to put out reliable health information.

[NuclearDem]

4. dafuq did i just read?

[FunkyLeprechaun]

6. See above

N/t

[NuclearDem]

12. I know about the CDC's position on circumcision.

What I'm still mystified about is how you conflate that with their epidemiological studies about the flu virus.

[Odin2005]

14. Let me guess, you think vaccines cause autism, too?

[FunkyLeprechaun]

15. Nope

In fact, I believe vaccinations should completely be required, regardless of whether a parent wants them or not for their child.

[jwirr]

7. Little one in our family has influenza. Had 103 temp and seizures. Scared his mother half to death.

[Jesus Malverde]

10. rockdude better take his vitamins...nt

[saltpepperdoor]

16. seems to do that ever so often

[Delphinus]

17. Welcome to DU!