PORTLAND – Influenza has been cropping up sporadically around Maine since late November, but so far the state has escaped large outbreaks.
Nonetheless, state health officials say it’s important to get flu vaccinations, and they say it’s not too late to get some protection from the shots.
Earlier this month, the state relaxed eligibility standards imposed to deal with a vaccine shortage caused by the shutdown of one of the two manufacturers for the U.S. market.
The high-risk category now includes pregnant women; those who are 50 or older; those with chronic medical conditions; residents of long-term care facilities; and children between the ages of 6 months and 23 months.
Public health officials say the type of flu seen in Maine is closely related to the strain used for the vaccine. That means flu shots this year offer better protection than some in the past, when the strain in circulation wasn’t a close match.
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