Flu Season Could Peak in October Before Vaccine Arrives
Many colleges are already reporting cases of H1N1 swine flu on campus. The Globe and Mailreports that these early flu cases have flu experts concerned this could mean the flu season will peak early. One study says the flu season this year could peak in October, which would be ahead of the release of the H1N1 vaccine.
Canadian and U.S. health authorities are seeing more flu cases than usual for this time of the year, which could signal a fast and furious start to the influenza season.
Influenza activity usually peaks in January or later. But the pandemic H1N1 virus strain kept its footing in the northern hemisphere through the summer – and one study is now predicting that it could peak in October, well before most people are vaccinated.
The Canadian government indicated Thursday that flu activity this week slightly decreased, but cases are still higher than expected. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that six states, including Alabama, Florida and South Carolina, reported widespread flu activity in the last week of August.
“Any widespread influenza activity in August is uncommon,” the CDC said in its Morbidity and Mortality weekly report.
Those most vulnerable to this particular strain of flu - young people in schools and universities - are probably also the most likely to be exposed in September or October ahead of the distribution of the vaccine.
Many colleges are already reporting cases of H1N1 swine flu on campus. The Globe and Mail 
