Post by LadyBlue on Jan 12, 2013 13:30:26 GMT -5
US scrambles for flu shots as death toll continues to rise
Influenza has reached epidemic proportions in the United States with 7.3 percent of deaths last week caused by pneumonia and the flu, the U.S. Centers for Diseas Control and Prevention said Friday.
A total of 20 children have died from flu-associated illnesses, and the CDC reports nine out of 10 regions in the United States had "elevated" flu activity, confirming that seasonal flue has spread and reached high levels several weeks before the usual time of late January or February.
Cuomo issued an Executive Order which allows pharmacists to administer flu vaccinations to patients between six months and 18 years of age. The order is in effect for 30 days.
New York has already reported 19,128 cases of the flu, nearly five times the amount of cases reported all of last flu season. Two deaths in New York were children.
"We are experiencing the worst flu season since at least 2009, and influenza activity in New York State is widespread, with cases reported in all 57 counties and all five boroughs of New York City," Cuomo said.
Federal health officials said Friday that there is still some flu vaccine available and it's not too late to benefit from it. But people may have to call around to find a clinic with shots still on the shelf, or wait a few days for a new shipment.
www.foxnews.com/health/2013/01/12/us-scrambles-for-flu-shots-as-death-toll-continues-to-rise/
Influenza has reached epidemic proportions in the United States with 7.3 percent of deaths last week caused by pneumonia and the flu, the U.S. Centers for Diseas Control and Prevention said Friday.
A total of 20 children have died from flu-associated illnesses, and the CDC reports nine out of 10 regions in the United States had "elevated" flu activity, confirming that seasonal flue has spread and reached high levels several weeks before the usual time of late January or February.
Cuomo issued an Executive Order which allows pharmacists to administer flu vaccinations to patients between six months and 18 years of age. The order is in effect for 30 days.
New York has already reported 19,128 cases of the flu, nearly five times the amount of cases reported all of last flu season. Two deaths in New York were children.
"We are experiencing the worst flu season since at least 2009, and influenza activity in New York State is widespread, with cases reported in all 57 counties and all five boroughs of New York City," Cuomo said.
Federal health officials said Friday that there is still some flu vaccine available and it's not too late to benefit from it. But people may have to call around to find a clinic with shots still on the shelf, or wait a few days for a new shipment.
www.foxnews.com/health/2013/01/12/us-scrambles-for-flu-shots-as-death-toll-continues-to-rise/