Flu, Vaccine | featured news

Amid the most severe influenza season in more than a decade, federal health officials on Wednesday approved a next-generation, insect-based flu vaccine that sidesteps the thorniest parts of production -- and will be used immediately in people willing to test it.

With the nation in the grip of a severe influenza outbreak that has seen deaths reach epidemic levels, New York State declared a public health emergency on Saturday, making access to vaccines more easily available.

As the country's flu outbreak becomes an epidemic, odds are that you've had a few sheepish feelings about not doing something you probably should have: Gotten a flu shot. As of this November, the majority of American adults 64.8 percent, to be exact had not received a flu immunization. This wasn't a surprise to researchers: Flu is a disease with one of the lowest vaccination rates.

What's killing us? For decades, global health leaders have focused on diseases that can spread - AIDS, tuberculosis, new flu bugs. They pushed for vaccines, better treatments and other ways to control germs that were only a plane ride away from seeding outbreaks anywhere in the world....

The first flu shot that works with a less-scary skin prick instead of an inch-long needle is hitting the market this fall.

Vaccine makers said this month they plan to make a record amount of flu vaccine for this fall and winter enough for more than half the population.

Health officials are urging adults to get vaccinated against pertussis and flu as a way protect babies and other vulnerable patients.

Because of the risks from flu, they should be among the first in line to get both the H1N1 and seasonal influenza shots, medical experts say. Yet many are averse to vaccinations or medication.

As the H1N1 influenza vaccine trickles into clinics and pharmacies over the next few weeks, public health officials and doctors desperately hope that pregnant women will be at the front of the line for the shot.

The World Health Organization says 28 swine flu patients worldwide had viruses resistant to Tamiflu, but another antiviral still ...

Studies of the new swine flu vaccine show children 10 and older will need just one shot for protection against swine flu — but younger kids will need two.