CDC News and Highlights (Influenza): Rapid Diagnostic Testing, Molecular Assays, Total Vaccine Doses Distributed

View the Latest Influenza Information From This Week. Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. Influenza (Flu) www.cdc.gov/flu  Saving Lives. Protecting People. TM CDC Influenza News and Highlights October 2, 2015 What's New? FluView - Weekly Influenza Surveillance Report UPDATE: Rapid Diagnostic Testing for Influenza: Information for Health Care Professionals UPDATE: Guidance for Clinicians on the Use of Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Tests UPDATE: Rapid Diagnostic Testing for Influenza: Information for Clinical Laboratory Directors UPDATE: Influenza Signs and Symptoms and the Role of Laboratory Diagnostics UPDATE: Use of RT-PCR and Other Molecular Assays for Diagnosis of Influenza Virus Infection UPDATE: Total doses of flu vaccine distributed for 2015-16 season   Weekly Influenza Surveillance Flu activity is low in the United States, but flu outbreaks can happen as early as October. Flu causes millions of illnesses, hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands of deaths every season. More than 76 million doses of 2015-16 flu vaccine have been distributed so far. This season's vaccines have been updated to better match circulating viruses. CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older. While how well the vaccine works can vary, flu vaccine is the best way to protect against flu. Vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors' visits, and missed work and school, as well as prevent hospitalizations. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for protection to set in so start thinking about getting vaccinated now. Find a Vaccine Learn More!   Tom Frieden, MD, MPH getting his annual influenza vaccine. 2015 Annual Influenza/Pneumococcal News Conference At the National Foundation of Infectious Diseases (NFID) 2015 Annual Influenza/Pneumococcal News Conference held in Washington, DC last week, expert panelists spoke about the burden of influenza (flu) in the US and the importance of annual flu vaccination as the best way to protect yourself and your family. Tom Frieden, MD, MPH, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), joined with leading medical/public health experts at the news conference and encouraged all individuals age 6 months and older to get vaccinated against influenza (flu) annually. Daniel B. Jernigan, MD, MPH, Director of the Influenza Division at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shared his perspective on the importance of annual flu vaccination for all people 6 months of age and older in NFID Blog: CDC Answers Top Questions About Flu. The NFID News Conference is archived and available online. Read More!     2015-16 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine—Total Doses Distributed October 2, 2015 12:00 PM ET 2015 Total Doses Distributed 9/25/2015 ≈ 92.3 million doses 9/18/2015 ≈ 76.1 million doses 9/11/2015 ≈ 65.1 million doses 9/4/2015 ≈ 40.7 million doses   Read More! View Larger Version Content source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases   The CDC has reached 1 million email subscribers. Thank you for your support. Modify/Update Subscriber Preferences or Unsubscribe | Learn about CDC Updates Questions or problems? Please contact support@govdelivery.com. This email was sent to anjeri2010.lawyerinfo@blogger.com using GovDelivery,on behalf of: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention • 1600 Clifton Rd • Atlanta, GA 30333 • 1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)