Currently, researchers have to have a good match between the virus circulating in the community and the virus in the vaccine in order to provide the best protection against influenza infection. This is challenging because it is hard to predict ahead of time what virus will cause problems in the coming year. That is great news for anyone who wants to protect themselves from the flu. Baylor is currently involved in a five-year nasal flu vaccine study in Temple, Texas, that will involve 15,000 children. Flu season begins in November and lasts through March.
Influenza kills thousands of people, mostly elderly, and affects millions of others every year.
Those at high risk of contracting the flu include people 65 years of age and older, and patients with heart disease, diabetes, kidney failure, AIDS, cancer, chronic lung disease, such as asthma or bronchitis, and children and teenagers on long-term aspirin therapy. Information about prevention, treatment and the appropriate time to see a doctor will be available, along with money-saving coupons for cold and flu medications. Baytown For additional information, call a participating Wal-Mart location.