10 October 2014 (00:35 UTC-07 Tango)/15 Dhu l-Hijja 1435/18 Mehr 1393/17 Jia-Xu 4712

Idaho: In Kootenai County, a woman over the age of 60 died from “complications of the flu”.  In Ada County, another woman over the age of 60 died from flu.  Idaho Department of Health and Welfare officials are freaking out and demanding that residents get vaccinated.  IDHW officials say they don’t know what strain of flu killed the women: “It is early. I guess we’ll just have to see how it plays out. The fact that we have already seen two deaths may be a really good signal that people need to get their flu shot.”-Leslie Tengelsen, Deputy State Epidemiologist

Kentucky: Jefferson County reports first influenza case in the state.

Montana: Cascade County reporting the state’s first flu infection.

Wisconsin: Department of Health Services reporting eight people hospitalized with influenza.

In 2007 the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the cost of treating people sick with influenza was about $87-billion USD!

88-million vials of flu vaccines have already been shipped out for the 2014-15 influenza season.  Another 159-million doses are expected.

The CDC has warnings about getting a flu shot:   “If you have any severe, life-threatening allergies. If you ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction after a dose of flu vaccine, or have a severe allergy to any part of this vaccine, including (for example) an allergy to gelatin, antibiotics, or eggs, you may be advised not to get vaccinated. Most, but not all, types of flu vaccine contain a small amount of egg protein.  If you ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome (a severe paralyzing illness, also called GBS). Some people with a history of GBS should not get this vaccine. This should be discussed with your doctor.   If you are not feeling well. It is usually okay to get flu vaccine when you have a mild illness, but you might be advised to wait until you feel better. You should come back when you are better.”

The CDC also stated: “Problems that could happen after any vaccine:  Brief fainting spells can happen after any medical procedure, including vaccination….Tell your doctor if you feel dizzy, or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.  Severe shoulder pain and reduced range of motion in the arm where a shot was given can happen, very rarely, after a vaccination.  Severe allergic reactions from a vaccine are very rare, estimated at less than 1 in a million doses. If one were to occur, it would usually be within a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination.

Mild problems following inactivated flu vaccine:  soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given,  hoarseness,  sore, red or itchy eyes,  cough,  fever,  aches, headache, itching, fatigue. If these problems occur, they usually begin soon after the shot and last 1 or 2 days.  

Moderate problems following inactivated flu vaccine:  Young children who get inactivated flu vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine (PCV13) at the same time may be at increased risk for seizures caused by fever. Ask your doctor for more information. Tell your doctor if a child who is getting flu vaccine has ever had a seizure. ……As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a serious injury or death.” 

The following was a warning from the CDC’s Eduardo Azziz-Baumgartner, Influenza Division:  “For the 2014-2015 flu season, CDC has expressed a preference for the nasal spray vaccine in children aged 2-8 years when it is available. Although the flu injection and the nasal spray vaccine both protect children from the flu, evidence suggests that the nasal spray vaccine works better in children aged 2-8 years than a flu injection. It’s important to note, however, that some children aged 2-8 years should not receive a nasal spray vaccine, including:  Children aged 2-4 years who have had asthma or wheezing during the past 12 months;  Children who have immunosuppression;  Children with a history of egg allergy;  Children who are receiving aspirin therapy or are taking medications that contain aspirin; and Children who have taken influenza antiviral medications (for example, Tamiflu® or Relenza®) within the past 48 hours.  Children with asthma who receive the nasal spray may have an increased risk of wheezing.  The safety of the nasal spray vaccine in children with other health conditions that put them at increased risk for serious flu complications (diabetes, heart disease, neurologic conditions, etc.) has not been established.”