FDA Approves Vaccines for the 2010-2011
Influenza Season
The U.S.
Food and Drug Administration announced today that it has
approved vaccines for the 2010-2011 influenza season in the
United States.
Seasonal
influenza vaccine protects against three strains of influenza,
including the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, which caused the 2009
pandemic. Last year because the 2009 H1N1 virus emerged after
production began on the seasonal vaccine, two separate vaccines
were needed to protect against seasonal flu and the 2009 H1N1
pandemic flu virus, but this year, only one vaccine is
necessary.
According
to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
between 5 percent and 20 percent of the U.S. population
develops influenza each year, leading to more than 200,000
hospitalizations from related complications and about 36,000
deaths.
Seasonal
influenza vaccines have a long and successful track record of
safety and effectiveness in the United States.
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