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BOB HIRSHON (host):
One vaccine for two flus. I’m Bob Hirshon and this is Science Update.
The new flu vaccines are now available, and according to infectious disease specialist Dr. William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, there are a few changes this year. For one thing, this vaccine will protect against the H1N1 virus, which causes swine flu, in addition to strains of the seasonal flu. So you’ll only have to get one shot. And unlike last year, there’s plenty to go around.
WILLIAM SCHAFFNER (Vanderbilt University School of Medicine):
The manufacturers are making an abundance of vaccine, it’s starting to become available around the country. The CDC now recommends that each and every one of us, all of us, age 6 months and older, that’s virtually the entire population, should get vaccinated for influenza. Go ahead get it early, get it done and make sure everyone in your family gets vaccinated also.
HIRSHON:
I’m Bob Hirshon, for AAAS, the science society.