The truth is the Flu Shot this year is marginally helpful. The vaccine is effective in approximately 10 percent of the cases, because, the virus has mutated and is resistant to the vaccine.
The only path that is effective is to break the communicable transmission of the virus. That means when a child isn't feeling well, they stay home to prevent his or her classmates from contracting the virus.
There is also the social time children have these days. It is a very nice growing up environment our children have these days when they set up "play dates." However, parents have to be 'the heavy' and cancel these days together when children aren't feeling well.
There are all sorts of communication measures between parents and teacher to be sure class assignments are not missed.
Public awareness is important, in English, Spanish and other languages to be sure all American are safe.
February 2, 2018
By Kim Printer
Sixteen more children (click here) have died in a flu season that's recorded 53 child deaths and has seen hospitalization rates at their highest in nearly a decade, federal health officials said Friday.
“This is a very difficult season,” said Anne Schuchat, acting director of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Weeks after officials hoped the epidemic might have peaked, it is instead going strong, with illnesses widespread in 48 states and flu activity high in 42 states and the District of Columbia, as of the last full week of January.
"There’s lots of flu occurring simultaneously across most of the U.S.,” said Dan Jernigan, director of the CDC’s influenza division. That coast-to-coast onslaught “is an unusual pattern for flu in the U.S.”...
