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Flu Shot May Save Your Life This Season
Aired September 24, 2003 - 13:43 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: An urgent warning going out about this year's flu season. The CDC says the virus is on the way and this year's strains are nothing to sneeze at. Experts are urging people to get their flu vaccinations, especially those in high-risk groups. CNN medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen here to tell us what we need to do.
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: And there is a certain sense of urgency this year, because first of all, the flu season in Australia -- and remember, they have flip seasons -- was particularly bad. It was a severe year. And sort of what goes around comes around. And health officials are concerned that could be true. It might not be true but they're concerned it might be true in this country as well.
Also, unfortunately, for many groups of people who should get -- who should get the shot, the rates of vaccination are actually going down.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. NANCY COX, CDC INFLUENZA BRANCH: We now have the lowest vaccination rates among high-risk children and young adults. It has been estimated that only 9 percent to 25 percent of children with moderate to severe asthma receive influenza vaccine annually. This is in spite of our long-standing recommendations for this group.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COHEN: So let's go over who should get flu shots. First, anyone with a chronic illness. Dr. Cox mentioned those folks. For example, people with diabetes or asthma. Also, anyone over the age of 50, children age 6 to 23 months. That's relatively new recommendation. Also, women who will be more than three months pregnant during the flu season.
Now, let's take a look at how many people actually are getting the shots. The numbers are quite low. People between the ages of 50 to 64, only 34 percent of them are getting shots. Children with asthma, only 10 percent are getting shots, and they're supposed to get it.
Also, health care workers, only 36 percent are getting shots. And many people say that they ought to get shots, too, because they of course are exposed to so many sick people.
So the bottom line here is that the Centers for Disease Control is trying to get the word out. They say the shot, contrary to what many people might think, doesn't actually give you the flu. The virus in the shot is attenuated, meaning it's killed, it's not a live virus.
PHILLIPS: All right, real quickly, this nasal spray that can be used as a vaccine. What's the story with that?
COHEN: Right. called FluMist, it's the first year that it's available. And it might sound great. You can, instead of getting a shot, I can actually just get a nasal spray.
Couple of problems -- one, it contains a live virus unlike the shot. And so that means you can't get it if you're over the age of 50. Little children can't get it under the age of 5. People with chronic diseases can't get it. So the people who need it the most can't get it.
Also, it is expensive. You really have to hate shots to get it. You're going to pay at least $40 more for the nasal spray and insurance does not cover it.
PHILLIPS: Oof. All right, suck it up, get the shot.
COHEN: That's right. Well it depends how much you want to pay.
PHILLIPS: Elizabeth Cohen, thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired September 24, 2003 - 13:43 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: An urgent warning going out about this year's flu season. The CDC says the virus is on the way and this year's strains are nothing to sneeze at. Experts are urging people to get their flu vaccinations, especially those in high-risk groups. CNN medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen here to tell us what we need to do.
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: And there is a certain sense of urgency this year, because first of all, the flu season in Australia -- and remember, they have flip seasons -- was particularly bad. It was a severe year. And sort of what goes around comes around. And health officials are concerned that could be true. It might not be true but they're concerned it might be true in this country as well.
Also, unfortunately, for many groups of people who should get -- who should get the shot, the rates of vaccination are actually going down.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. NANCY COX, CDC INFLUENZA BRANCH: We now have the lowest vaccination rates among high-risk children and young adults. It has been estimated that only 9 percent to 25 percent of children with moderate to severe asthma receive influenza vaccine annually. This is in spite of our long-standing recommendations for this group.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COHEN: So let's go over who should get flu shots. First, anyone with a chronic illness. Dr. Cox mentioned those folks. For example, people with diabetes or asthma. Also, anyone over the age of 50, children age 6 to 23 months. That's relatively new recommendation. Also, women who will be more than three months pregnant during the flu season.
Now, let's take a look at how many people actually are getting the shots. The numbers are quite low. People between the ages of 50 to 64, only 34 percent of them are getting shots. Children with asthma, only 10 percent are getting shots, and they're supposed to get it.
Also, health care workers, only 36 percent are getting shots. And many people say that they ought to get shots, too, because they of course are exposed to so many sick people.
So the bottom line here is that the Centers for Disease Control is trying to get the word out. They say the shot, contrary to what many people might think, doesn't actually give you the flu. The virus in the shot is attenuated, meaning it's killed, it's not a live virus.
PHILLIPS: All right, real quickly, this nasal spray that can be used as a vaccine. What's the story with that?
COHEN: Right. called FluMist, it's the first year that it's available. And it might sound great. You can, instead of getting a shot, I can actually just get a nasal spray.
Couple of problems -- one, it contains a live virus unlike the shot. And so that means you can't get it if you're over the age of 50. Little children can't get it under the age of 5. People with chronic diseases can't get it. So the people who need it the most can't get it.
Also, it is expensive. You really have to hate shots to get it. You're going to pay at least $40 more for the nasal spray and insurance does not cover it.
PHILLIPS: Oof. All right, suck it up, get the shot.
COHEN: That's right. Well it depends how much you want to pay.
PHILLIPS: Elizabeth Cohen, thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
