CDC: Flu still spreading: USA expected to have 195 million H1N1 flu vaccines by year end...

Flu still spreading in US, says CDC

WASHINGTON, Aug 22 – The A(H1N1) flu is still spreading widely across the United States, officials said on Friday, with 75 per cent of serious cases and 60 per cent of deaths among people under the age of 49.

The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has officially confirmed 7,963 hospitalisations and 522 deaths from the pandemic H1N1 flu, CDC's Dr. Jay Butler told reporters in a telephone briefing.

“It is important to remember that at this time of year we don’t normally have influenza,” Butler said.

He said the government expected to have 45 million to 52 million swine flu vaccine doses by mid October, when vaccination is expected to begin, and 195 million by the end of the year. – Reuters