Flu Activity in New York Is Still Minimal, But It's Here

Despite some criticism that this year’s vaccines might not be entirely effective, Forbes is recommending that people still consider getting a flu shot to guard against the virus.

Reports have circulated that the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention has warned that the influenza vaccines to fight the 2014-15 flu might not be that effective. Reuters writes that is because it appears the virus has “drifted” meaning that some of the vaccines are not a good match for fighting it.

In New York and Westchester County, while the flu is present, activity is relatively minimal, according to the CDC. But in nearby New Jersey, flu activity is high.

The CDC has sent out advisories to physicians with this information, but Forbes essentially argues that something is better than nothing, and urges people to consider getting a flu shot anyway. Reuters ultimately makes a similar argument.

“On one hand, we don’t know how significantly this year’s vaccine will give protection against the predominant H3N2 virus subtype,” writes David Kroll of Forbes. “But we do know, historically, that vaccines can still give some protection against drifted viruses. So, a 58% bad match doesn’t mean no match at all.”

According to Reuters: “The CDC said flu shots may still offer some protection against drifted viruses, which could help reduce the risk of the most severe complications from the flu, such as hospitalization and death. The current seasonal flu shots will still protect against flu strains that have not mutated, such as the influenza A (H1N1) virus and the B viruses contained in the vaccine.”

So, you should still consider getting a flu shot, and the Westchester County Department of Health also recommends keeping your hands clean to help stop the spread of illness.

Click here to view the CDC weekly influenza report.

Click here to read the Forbes story.

Click here to read the Reuters story.

Click here to view the Westchester Department of Health recommendation.