Dateline: 01/14/03

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has reported greatly underestimating the yearly number of deaths resulting from influenza in the United States.

Citing "new and improved" statistical models, scientists at CDC have increased by 16,000 deaths -- from 20,000 to 36,000 -- the average number of people who die from influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) per year. RSV is a virus that  that causes upper and lower respiratory tract infections primarily in young children and older adults. According to the CDC study, most RSV-related deaths occur in elderly persons.

"We’ve known for sometime that influenza and RSV have a profound impact on public health," said CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding. "However, these data indicate that the magnitude of the problem is larger than we once thought."

Aging Population Could be Source
With the number of persons reaching age 85 or older doubling over the past several decades, CDC partially attributes the increase in deaths from influenza and RSV to a general aging of the population. Also, the most virulent of influenza viruses in recent years, influenza A (H3N2), has been the most common strain circulating during the last decade.

High risk persons should get flu shots
In light of the study, CDC says it will step up efforts to emphasize the importance of vaccinating individuals who are at greatest risk of serious complications from influenza as the best strategy currently available for preventing influenza associated deaths. Under a new policy just announced by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), nursing homes, hospitals and home health agencies that serve Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries will be allowed to remind patients when it is time for an annual flue vaccination and ask if they want to receive a shot.

"More high risk people than ever before are getting their flu shots and that is certainly good news," Dr. Gerberding said. "However, it is crucial that we continue to get the message out regarding the importance of high risk people getting their flu shots each and every year."

Who are "high risk" individuals?
The CDC recommend the following high risk individuals get influenza vaccinations immediately:

• individuals aged 65 and older 
• individuals with chronic medical conditions such as heart and lung disease and diabetes
• health care workers

All other groups, including household members of high-risk persons, healthy people ages 50-64, and others who wish to decrease their risk of getting the flu should begin receiving vaccinations in November. CDC also encourages children aged 6 months to 23 months to receive influenza vaccinations.

Better vaccines, more research needed
The CDC study also recommends more research into the development of improved flu and RSV vaccines offering better protection for both the elderly and children.

For more information on influenza please go to the National Center for Infectious Disease Influenza Web site at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/flu/fluvirus.htm.