PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — We are in the midst of the toughest flu season in a decade. But this year’s flu vaccine is considered a “match” with the current strain, and that’s a good thing if you want to bring hospitalization numbers down.
“We, of course, look in real time as to how well we think the influenza match is to what is circulating right now,” CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said during a news briefing on Monday. “The good news is that it looks like it is a very good match.”
According to the CDC, nearly 20,000 Americans were admitted to the hospital for flu during Thanksgiving week — nearly double the number from the week before. This makes vaccinated vital to getting through this flu season.
“The vaccine doesn’t necessarily prevent you from getting the flu. It prevents you from getting really sick with it,” says KYW Medical Editor Dr. Brian McDonough.
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“Fortunately, if you’ve been vaccinated against the flu, you have a very good shot of having minimal symptoms.”
We also talk about how the medicines you’re taking to treat such things as colds, the flu, and sinus issues could interfere with your blood pressure or heart.