Influenza Activity Declining in Massachusetts

According to current reports from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, flu activity in Massachusetts peaked in the 2nd and 3rd weeks of February and is now in decline.

To date, 9 pediatric deaths from influenza have been identified by the Centers for Disease Control for the 2008-2009 flu season, 6 of those deaths reported between February 8th and 14th. These deaths occurred in Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. Comparatively, there were 78 pediatric deaths during the 2006-2007 flu season.

The CDC strongly recommends vaccination for all children aged 6 months to 18 years, as well as any household contacts of children in that age group. Children between the ages of 6 months and 8 years should receive two doses of vaccine if they have never been previously vaccinated. Otherwise, studies have shown little to no efficacy or protection for this population if only one dose is received.

As always, public health officials would like to remind the public that although flu season does indeed begin to taper off in March, it is still possible to be infected with influenza throughout the year. While immunization does peak in November and December, it is still not too late to be vaccinated. The Amherst Health Department has approximately 8 doses of vaccine for children and adults over the age of 4 years, so please contact Keith Carlson at 259-3161 if you are interested.

We wish you a safe and healthy Spring!