At any time, influenza can change from a routine seasonal virus to a deadly pandemic. The 1918 flu epidemic killed more people than all of the battles of WWI combined.

According to a new report from the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy(CIDRAP), current influenza vaccines offer less protection against seasonal influenza than previously reported. According to Michael T. Osterholm, Ph.D., M.P.H., University of Minnesota infectious disease expert and the CCIVI report’s lead author. "The present vaccines... do not offer consistent, high-level protection – especially in individuals at risk of medical complications or those aged older than 65 years. Unfortunately, these are the populations where we need the vaccines to work the best. We need new influenza vaccines that work for everyone, most of the time.” SOURCE: http://www.health.umn.edu/healthtalk/2012/10/15/new-u-of-m-led-analysis-finds-urgent-need-for-new-influenza-vaccines/