Heads up moms and moms-to-be! It’s that time of year again.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new flu vaccine that will be used during the 2012-2013 season.
Each year the FDA, in conjunction with the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study influenza virus samples and global disease patterns to identify virus strains likely to cause the most illness during the upcoming flu season. Based on this research, the new vaccine will target the following strains:
- A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus
- A/Victoria/361/2011 (H3N2)-like virus
- B/Wisconsin/1/2010-like virus.
According to the CDC, between 5 percent and 20 percent of the U.S. population develops influenza each year. The CDC and FDA add that vaccination remains the most effective way to fight off the flu, especially this year.
“It is especially important to get vaccinated this year because two of the three virus strains used in this season’s influenza vaccines differ from the strains included in last year’s vaccines,” said Karen Midthun, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research in a statement.
The CDC encourages pregnant women to receive vaccinations, as they are at a higher risk for developing complications in infected. The CDC also adds that children younger than 6-months are not approved for the vaccine.
Will you and your family receive the vaccination?
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
