In latest report, CDC says flu incidence is low

WASHINGTON — Flu activity in the United States for the 2011-2012 season currently is low, making it an ideal time for Americans to get vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In its newly released “FluView” report, the CDC said national flu incidence was 1.2% during the week that spanned from Oct. 2 to Oct. 8. Additionally, the CDC said that the current vaccine supply is projected to set a U.S. record, as more than 110 million doses of vaccine were delivered in the United States (as of the end of September), with manufacturers projecting total production of between 166 and 173 million doses. This is the most flu vaccine ever produced for the U.S. market, the agency said.

“It takes about two weeks after vaccination for the body′s immune response to fully kick in,” CDC′s Influenza Epidemiology and Prevention chief Joe Bresee said. “It′s best to get vaccinated before activity begins so that you′ll be protected once flu season starts in your community. From our perspective, the time to get vaccinated is now.”

The CDC FluView report is published each Friday from October through mid–May.

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