The flu that was feared as a possible pandemic a year ago is just “the flu” as the state health department gears up for the next flu season.
This year, protection will come in just one shot. Last year the H1N1 flu hit after the regular flu vaccine was manufactured, requiring a second shot for protection against the so-called swine flu.
But now, H1N1 is the main target with a couple of other strains as secondary flus that are hanging around.
State health department spokesman Kit Wagar says H1N1 has become just another seasonal flu although it was pretty scary a year ago.
Wagar says the H1N1 was not as serious as feared last year because of intensive efforts to fight it and because of a “certain amount” of luck. It hit only briefly and did not return in January as some thought it might.
This year’s flu vaccine is being made now and will be shipped in a little more than a month.
Kit Wagar talks flu with Bob Priddy 8:48 mp3
