Seasonal flu vaccinations increases by 237% this season compared to the same four weeks during last season

According to SDI, a leading healthcare market insight and analytics firm that consolidates electronic healthcare claims data, there have been over 477,000 seasonal flu vaccinations already administered through Aug. 29 — the fourth week of this year’s flu season. That is an increase of 237% compared to the same four weeks during last season.

The majority of seasonal flu inoculations (78%) have been given to children, and of those, the most popular brand has been MedImmune's FluMist. At least 246,000 FluMist inoculations were administered through the week ending Aug. 29, which accounted for 66% of vaccinations for patients under age 18.

SDI maintains the largest influenza-monitoring program in the United States and has tracked, measured, and forecast the number of people affected by cough, cold, influenza, and other upper respiratory conditions to assist clients and consumers alike for over 25 years.

Each year in the United States, on average, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized and 36,000 people die from seasonal flu complications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a yearly seasonal flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against seasonal flu. A new vaccine against novel H1N1 is being produced and will be available in the coming months as an option for prevention of novel H1N1 infection.