AlaskaDenise
In Memoriam
Half Dose of Flu Shot Appears to Provide Protection
Getting a half dose of the flu shot appears to be enough to protect healthy adults younger than 50 who have been previously vaccinated against the flu, suggests a study published in the December 8/22 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.
The study looked at healthy people ages 18 to 64 who had received flu vaccines in the previous one to three years. Researchers administered a full dose of the flu shot to a group of 554 study participants; they gave a half dose to a separate group of 556 participants, HealthDay reports. The antibody response in those who received a half dose of the flu vaccine was similar to that seen in those who got a full dose of the shot, especially in those ages 18 to 49, according to the study. Since a half dose of the vaccine appears to provide sufficient protection against the flu, perhaps cutting dosages could be a way to cope with future vaccine shortages, the researchers suggested.
In October, U.S. News's Deborah Kotz explored whether flu shots are necessary for kids. Nancy Shute offered advice in September on how to decide whether to vaccinate your child against the flu.
http://health.usnews.com/articles/h...f-dose-of-flu-shot-and-other-health-news.html
Getting a half dose of the flu shot appears to be enough to protect healthy adults younger than 50 who have been previously vaccinated against the flu, suggests a study published in the December 8/22 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.
The study looked at healthy people ages 18 to 64 who had received flu vaccines in the previous one to three years. Researchers administered a full dose of the flu shot to a group of 554 study participants; they gave a half dose to a separate group of 556 participants, HealthDay reports. The antibody response in those who received a half dose of the flu vaccine was similar to that seen in those who got a full dose of the shot, especially in those ages 18 to 49, according to the study. Since a half dose of the vaccine appears to provide sufficient protection against the flu, perhaps cutting dosages could be a way to cope with future vaccine shortages, the researchers suggested.
In October, U.S. News's Deborah Kotz explored whether flu shots are necessary for kids. Nancy Shute offered advice in September on how to decide whether to vaccinate your child against the flu.
http://health.usnews.com/articles/h...f-dose-of-flu-shot-and-other-health-news.html
