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CDC: Influenza activity on the rise in US

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The national percentage of viruses testing positive for influenza continued to increase this week, led by sharp increases in the southeast region of the country, CDC officials said during a telebriefing today.

“Don't be fooled by the past few months — flu is coming,” Anne Schuchat, MD, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases of the CDC, said during the briefing.

Schuchat presented data on influenza vaccination rates from a national rapid telephone survey including 38,000 adults and 9,100 children. During the first two weeks of November, 33% of respondents reported vaccination. Specifically, older adults were more likely to be vaccinated, with 64% reporting vaccination. Of respondents who were not vaccinated, 15% reported they would get vaccinated; 25% reported they probably would get vaccinated. Medical locations, such as the doctor’s office, a hospital or clinic, were among the most common for respondents to receive vaccination.

Active influenza viruses identified this season include the 2009 H1N1 A strain, influenza A H3N2 strain and influenza B strain, Schuchat said. “The vaccine being offered this season is a very good match for all the strains that we're seeing."

“Indeed the flu season is well underway,”Howard Koh, MD, assistant secretary for health at the Department of Health and Human Services, said during the briefing. “With the holidays coming up, we are encouraging all Americans to get vaccinated to protect themselves, their families and their communities from the flu.” New universal influenza recommendations went into effect this season, he said.

This Sunday, Dec. 5, marks the beginning of the CDC’s National Influenza Vaccination Week, during which the agency “traditionally highlights the importance of continuing flu vaccination and fosters greater use of the flu vaccine,” Koh said. “Each day will a feature a number of activities to promote vaccination among key populations." Free vaccinations will be widely available due to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which mandates that new health plans cover high-value preventive services without cost sharing, according to Koh.

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