The National Flu Vaccine For 2010

This year's flu vaccine will contain the following 3-strains including last year's H1N1 strain:

• A:/California/7/2009-like(2009 H1N1)
• A:/Perth/16/2009-like(H3N2)
• B:/Brisbane/60/2008-like(B/Victoria lineage)

Schedule your flu shot appointments as soon as possible to guarantee your preferred time and date for your Flu Shot Clinic this fall!

Facts About The Flu
Each year over 50 million Americans contract the flu virus. According to the CDC, Influenza has surpassed AIDS as a lethal killer and contributes to an average of 36,000 deaths in the U.S.each year, 16,000 more than previously estimated.

Flu Vaccine Development
Each year, laboratories throughout the world collect flu viruses. These viruses are then sent to one of four World Health Organization (WHO) reference laboratories for detailed testing. One of these laboratories is at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) in Atlanta. The laboratories then test how well the antibodies made for the current vaccine react to the circulating viruses and new flu viruses. A summary of this information, along with information about the previous season's flu activity is presented to an advisory committee of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA) and the World Health Organization. The findings result in the selection of three viruses (two subtypes of influenza A viruses and one influenza B virus) to go into flu vaccines for the following fall/winter flu vaccination season. Usually one or two of the three virus strains in the vaccine are changed each year.

Current Situation
Visit the CDC for the most recent flu information: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm