Flu Vaccine Not Effective for 65 and Older

Flu season has been quite hard on many people, particularly those over 65. And if you had the flu shot, it probably didn’t help. According to a report in the CDC’s Weekly Morbidity and Mortality Report released last week, the flu vaccine was only effective in 9% of those 65 and older, a number too low to be statistically significant. The study was based on a survey of 2,697 children and adults by the U.S. Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Network from December 3, 2012, through January 19, 2013.

Michael Jhung, a CDC epidemiologist, says that this season’s flu hospitalization rates in those 65-plus is the highest since CDC began its current surveillance system in 2007. The reason for this very low rate of effectiveness in this particularl age group is not known, although the vaccine does become less effective as we get older.

So, with flu season still in high gear, it is critically important to stay healthy and consider other options to prevent illness, especially in those 65 and older. Read this to find out how you can prevent the flu.

 

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Flu Prevention

I thought it was just our household, but apparently the influenza virus is hitting everyone a little harder this year. According to the CDC, except for a couple of states, the flu virus is widespread and winter has only really started.

Although vaccination is the most common form of prevention, its efficacy rate is only about 65%. So if you decide that the flu vaccine is not for you, there are numerous ways to protect your family from coming down with the flu. Click here to learn more.

Two other helpful tips are washing your hands and taking Oscillococcinum. Continue reading “Flu Prevention”

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The Flu Hits Home

My husband came home two weeks ago complaining of a sore throat and fatigue.  A few days later, he had a hacking cough and a fever.  And just this past week… an ear infection.  With a degree in nutrition, and an herbalist and naturopath, as well as countless supplements at my disposal, how did I let my husband develop and continue with what we have now discovered is the flu? Well, every morning I would lay out vitamin C, oscillococcinum, probiotics and tea for him, but being the stubborn, hardheaded man that he is, he thought he could just let the flu take its course. Well, we are on week three of this, Tim is still hacking away and now our poor little 13-month-old son has caught the flu, and he has a double ear infection.  Unlike, his daddy, Joe is more open to trying  mommy’s remedies.  I also want to make clear that Joe is under the care of a lovely doctor who actually approved and is monitoring Joe’s condition.

I am curious to see who will actually feel better sooner, Continue reading “The Flu Hits Home”

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