Vaccination

Vaccine for Swine Flu Is Ahead of Expectations in New York

More than three million doses of swine flu vaccine will be available by the first week of October.
But nearly all those 3.4 million doses will be of the FluMist nasal spray type, which is not recommended for pregnant women, people over 50 or those with asthma, heart disease or several other problems.
Nonetheless, it will still be possible to vaccinate people in other high-risk groups: health care workers, people caring for infants and healthy young people.
The nasal spray contains a weakened live virus, while injections contain killed and fragmented virus. The spray gives a stronger immune reaction but carries a small risk that the virus will multiply too quickly in people with compromised immunity.
Swine flu cases are rapidly increasing across the country, the officials said. There is now “widespread” flu activity in 21 states.

By Kristýna