: News
By Jessica Jordan
A new supercharged seasonal vaccine, Fluzone High Dose, is designed to offer people 65 years and older extra strength protection from viruses and the H1N1 swine flu.
The new shot packs four times the amount of antigen as the standard flu shot.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that additional antigen creates a stronger immune response in the person getting the vaccine. But a study to compare the shot's effectiveness in preventing illness from influenza with the regular vaccine, is still ongoing.
The CDC says during clinical trials most people had minimal side effects after receiving the Fluzone High-Dose vaccine.
"I think probably the most negative reaction you'll get is more of a stronger local response so if they inject it in your arm you're gonna have more redness and a little more pain just cause its gonna be thicker than the regular vaccine," says Mark Hodge with the Montgomery County Health Department.
Montgomery County will begin offering the vaccine at clinics in October. It's available now at some pharmacies and grocery chains.
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