The FDA wants Americans to know it isn’t too late to get a flu vaccine, as virus activity typically peaks in January and February and can circulate well into May.
“Meant to get vaccinated in the fall to ward off the flu, but somehow didn’t get around to it? Think it’s too late to get vaccinated now? Not so,” the agency said.
While it encourages people to get protected during this flu season, the FDA is already working on next season’s vaccine.
“Influenza viruses can change from year to year, due to different subtypes and strains that circulate each year,” said Marion Gruber, director of FDA’s Office of Vaccine Research and Review. “A vaccine is needed that includes virus strains that most closely match those in circulation, and the protection provided by the previous year’s vaccine will diminish over time.”
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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