U.S. flu season worsens as new vaccines ordered

[flashl]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Influenza is widespread in 49 states, and this year's epidemic has killed at least 22 children, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Friday.

On Thursday the U.S. Food and Drug Administration agreed to completely change next year's flu vaccine mix because all three strains included in the flu shot cocktail have mutated. But companies have a head start on working with two of the three, the CDC's Dr. Nancy Cox said.

...

Flu has killed 22 children so far this season, Cox said. She did not have details on any of the cases.

Cox said the CDC was watching the epidemic and asking state health departments to collect data on who gets sick, whether the were vaccinated, and whether influenza drugs were effective in fighting the infections.

Reuters

[Nay]

1. I work at a large corp in VA and we have instituted preventive

measures -- hand sanitizers and bleach wipes everywhere which we are encouraged to use; and ppl who are sick are NOT allowed to stay and work, no matter how important their job.