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FNC senior medical contributor Dr. Marc Siegel on why it may be important to get a flu shot this season.
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But we begin tonight with a deadly flu operate.
It's rapidly spreading across the country our first guest says the best way to protect yourself.
Is by getting a flu shot and yes he has given me -- on this very broadcast.
Joining us now is Fox News senior medical contributor doctor Marc Siegel.
Doctor it is great to have you with us this sounds horrific 7%.
Of all -- in the country in the last week of last year.
Flu related the -- this it this is deeply troubled.
Little as -- -- in the setup this is very similar to the strain that we saw in 2003.
Win over 40000 people.
Died of flu related deaths which basically.
Occur because of other infections they get the flow not shoot down the flu weakens your immune system it makes you very fatigued you know that -- that's the most prominent symptom that you get pneumonia or bronchitis some other infection.
In 2003 though we didn't have as -- -- match for the flu shot as we have now.
This year we've got the strain that's causing most of the problems in this year's flu shot.
And a lot of people haven't gotten it yet only about 37% of Americans have gotten this flu shot why is that idea I ever my -- I.
I got my flu shot this -- and our local grocery store in the pharmacy.
Our I just I mean there are ubiquitous opportunities there.
To get them.
What's that what's the reason the reason is one word fear I wrote a book about this it's about how people of misconceptions about the flu shot -- any -- -- they think all the flu -- could be related to autism it's not.
Flu shot could give me the -- Can't it's a dead virus and you know what.
-- what you're gonna wake up call the people here at this point in time to get the flu shot because you can get the flu shot him be immune within two or three weeks.
And according to the CDC it's not going to -- this flu season.
For another few weeks get the shot now.
And young kids are not getting the shot the way they should parents are afraid to give the shot through their children they should the CDC recommends every child over the age of six months get the flu shot.
I'm a big believer that.
And it ended takes no tribal areas in due to set aside one -- it.
There is no pain it is.
I mean it's certainly doctor Marc Siegel was sparked after mr.
okay.
And I've gotta say though all of my friends that -- -- took good care -- where -- terrific votes.
All across the country doing this it's just so sad to see these people dying when it's effectively -- I mean you went on with the show us your your food Sheraton here you can get an occasion that's how brave I have either -- -- -- abrupt.
After bush moving in the direction of giving flu shots instead of older people like you and me I'm now giving it to beautiful young women.
So that's gonna change it and you know what the doctor -- so practiced at this -- you just give would be the -- to bring about Jack -- rose our segment producer.
In if I can ask you to join her over there a doctor -- for different shot just to demonstrate.
How.
Simple this is now needless -- as we -- I've I have to say this flu vaccine which I've heard more stories talking to friends of family members about how this flu vaccine is the wrong flu vaccine that it's only affected but one out of -- million cases all sorts of nonsense like that when employment practice doctor Siegel said.
The the NIH the National Institutes of Health the Centers for Disease Control all of these folks have done a very good job.
Of plotting the course of this -- which comes from South America -- here.
-- they have to make these decisions.
What.
At one advances of a full year.
They do it in the winter and they do it -- the summer before down South America and Asia but look at what's gonna happen here in our winter now.
It's about 60% effective and Goodyear and that's what we're expecting this year so this is why we need to created what's called ring of immunity we have to vaccinated young people -- car so that everyone in your household is protected but more people -- vaccinated given how's the less young children -- our -- the -- people with chronic illness if she doesn't elderly parent living at home or grandparent.
-- vaccinated -- less likely fluid flow and there's the house to begin with and and the age is from six months -- this correct from six months.
Forever and on up is that correct doctor signal you can that you -- -- someone six months and up.
Before that they're not gonna get immune right so -- America get your bill.
The youngest infants will get it from breast milk from from from being in the in the womb and if you you have to give a pregnant women the -- -- it's totally safe for pregnant women.
Pregnant women are big risk of the -- give flu shots to pregnant women will transfer down to the unborn fetus.
And and you're recommending six months -- and handle six -- an older everywhere Everett and especially at risk are elderly people.
And Veronica and chronicles and you know I think I would have to say that I seem more folks who work.
All -- -- not elderly that are more by age.
The younger people are we're -- flu shots -- that the at the local pharmacies and it and I hope that we'll see more votes obviously doing that.
A because this is -- do you expect this to reach -- proportion you personally I know it's adjusted judgment.
Call this point because we're early these are early days certainly but we are seeing -- remarkable number of deaths.
Remarkable spread in this do you expect this to approach the levels you yourself.
Of 2003.
And four perhaps 2009.
I do but we also have in our own hands to decrease that by getting the shot.
Like staying home when your sick.
Are washing your hands by using -- -- is my understanding that you can spread the flu on surfaces.
And by coughing and breathing -- -- -- the weekend decrease this even now.
And Jacqueline rose through its results are segment -- one -- -- segment producers here we've built.
This is the sort of -- we're built her expectation that -- anticipation of the shot.
Doctor if they're jockey are you ready I'm reading here -- -- Hang -- there be brave.
Those that nothing nothing it terrific let's.
Decker thanks so much doctor -- thank you are -- -- put that if we could put up that full screen of what.
Is widespread flu activity now of the CDC putting up this specific.
A designation.
-- he -- States now.
With severe flu widespread flu activity as doctor Siegel who says what he reinforces -- your flu shot.
It's the right thing for you and -- right thing for everybody else pressuring.
Elaborate -- Jack thank you very much.
