As Americans scramble to find dwindling supplies of flu vaccine, there are signs that this flu season, the worst in recent years, may be starting to wane, according to federal health officials.
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In a typical flu season, hundreds of thousands go to the hospital and thousands die from flu-related complications. Although 47 states have reported that influenza cases are widespread, there are some indications that the situation is improving. The outbreaks started in the South and Southeast and may have passed their peak in those states. The number of states reporting high proportions of outpatient visits for flulike illness has dropped over the past week, though California and other Western states are bracing for more cases as the virus moves westward.
New York City health officials said last week that flu-related illnesses had reached epidemic levels, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared a state public health emergency to cope with "the worst flu season since at least 2009." He said that some 19,000 cases had been reported so far. Last year 4,400 cases were confirmed by laboratory tests.
The vaccines available for the strains of flu this year are deemed moderately effective; they can prevent flu cases severe enough to require a doctor's visit about 62 percent of the time, roughly the same as in previous years. The vaccines provide no protection against other viruses that are circulating simultaneously, such as a new form of norovirus and a severe outbreak of whooping cough.
Some shortages of vaccine have been reported around the country, but diligent searchers may be able to find some because the number of people seeking vaccines may be smaller than the remaining supplies. The lesson for future years is to get your shot early.
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