Federal health officials say this year’s flu season is more intense than previous years, and is still getting worse. The CDC predicts that it is on track to equal or surpass the 2014-2015 season, during which 56,000 Americans died.
So why is this year’s flu season worse than usual, and why is the virus more widespread? And how effective is the flu vaccine? Our panelists answer your questions about the flu and treatment, and they discuss new research out of the University of Rochester dedicated to developing a universal flu vaccine. In studio:
- Dr. Dave Topham, Ph.D., co-director of the New York Influenza Center of Excellence
- Dr. Brenda Tesini, M.D., assistant professor of infectious diseases in the Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Rochester Medical Center
- Dr. Edward Walsh, M.D., unit head of infectious diseases at Rochester General Hospital, and professor of medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center
