Flu Vaccine Missing Crucial Strain

by WAKA Action 8 News

The winter season officially started Sunday, but we’re also in the beginning of another season.

The flu virus is picking up steam, and it looks like this year’s vaccine might not have you covered. 

There are several different flu strains every year.

The vaccines never cover all the strains, but this year’s missed what could be the most dangerous one. 

The flu is a big concern for many people as the winter months set in.

That includes Tyanna Beasley and her two children.

“We make sure that all the kids are vaccinated and we try to make it before the flu season starts,” said Beasley.

The virus is already spreading across the US, and hitting states in the South particularly hard. 

“We’re already seeing in parts of the state influenza like illness above background levels, so we’re already in I suspect the ramp up to our traditional flu season. Normally our flu season peaks in late January, February,” said State Health Officer Dr. Don Williamson.

Many vaccines protect against four different strains of the virus. 

Manufacturers use strains from the previous year to design the shot.

But this year’s vaccine left out an important strain, known as Influenza A Switzerland.

“It was identified too late to be included in the vaccine manufactured for the northern hemisphere for this flu season. A few weeks ago the CDC recognized that 52 percent of the influenza A virus circulating was the A Switzerland, not the A Texas strain which means that a majority of influenza A circulating is not contained in the vaccine,” said Williamson.

That doesn’t mean you should skip the shot though. It will still protect you against other strains and might make the flu less severe if you catch it. But that doesn’t mean that people aren’t worried.

“When it comes to my kids, yes. Me I’m ok with it. But my kids, yeah, I’m very concerned about that,” said Beasley.

“I’m sad that it’s not the right strain. I got my flu shot. I get my flu shot every year and I sure hope I don’t get the flu this year,” said Hope Mitchell.

Dr. Williamson stressed that this isn’t a pandemic, but you should be extra cautious this year. 

Williamson also stressed that if you show symptoms of the flu, get to a doctor right away.

That not only will help you, but it will also keep you from spreading the virus.