vaccine

Flu Vaccine Less Effective but Still Urged for Seniors

Kristin Gourlay — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 20:23:48 +0000

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimates this year’s flu vaccine was effective about fifty percent of the time. But the vaccine was much less protective for older adults.

The CDC found that vaccinations against influenza types A and B were about 56 percent effective overall. But in people aged 65 and older, the vaccines only worked 27 percent of the time. But Rhode Island Department of Health director Doctor Michael Fine says that’s no reason NOT to get vaccinated.

Flu in Rhode Island: How bad is it?

Kristin Gourlay — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 18:29:35 +0000

If you've got the flu, it's bad. Awfully bad. But is this season any worse than unusual? Are hospitals really being overwhelmed by "skyrocketing" cases in an unprecedented outbreak?

What’s the Plan for Whooping Cough?

Kristin Gourlay and Kristin — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 04:00:00 +0000

I blogged earlier this summer about a pertussis (whooping cough) outbreak in Rhode Island and a growing number of cases throughout the country (see the latest from the RI Dept. of Health). There were some indications then that the vaccine was losing its efficacy. But that may not be the full picture.