New York: The flu epidemic this year will come faster and will be harder than usual

The flu epidemic affects more and more new states in America, with more than the usual number of cases and a vaccine that is effective only in 60% of cases. Despite this rather low figure, doctors urge Americans to get a flu vaccine: it can protect against possible complications.

According to the New York City Department of Health, cases of influenza were recorded in all five boro metropolitan areas, as well as in all 54 municipal districts of the state. If we talk about the country as a whole, the flu has already spread in the 43 states of America.

Symptoms of flu and severe cold caused 6% of visits to the doctor in the last week of 2014. The number of hospitalizations, according to statistics, was higher than in the 2013 year. Of the 100 000 residents of the United States, 12,6 received a flu diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

This winter, the dominant flu strain remains H3N2, the same variant as in 2012-2013. However, doctors say that the vaccine is effective in only a little more than half of the cases - 60%.

During this epidemic, 21 children have already died from influenza in the United States, one of them in New York.

Representatives from the New York City Health Department report that, according to December 27, the flu was identified and confirmed in 3 922 people. Over the week, the number of cases increased by 90%. 972 people were hospitalized. In the 2015 year, according to doctors, 7 826 cases of influenza were confirmed.

Doctors warn that in New York, you can get different strains of flu, not to mention other types of viruses and colds.

A vaccine that is effective in 60% of cases is not an accurate guarantee that you will not get sick, however, it can alleviate the course of the disease and help avoid complications.

“The vaccine doesn’t work as well as we would like, but it protects against dangerous complications,” said Dr. Jane Zucker, a leading immunologist in New York.

It is especially important to vaccinate children up to 5 years and older people older than 65 years, as well as those who suffer from serious chronic diseases. Children attending free kindergartens in New York (pre-K program) must be vaccinated without fail.