THE NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAYS IT HAS CONFIRMED 19 ADULT DEATHS FROM FLU-RELATED ILLNESSES THIS SEASON. STATE EPIDEMIOLOGIST MICHAEL LANDEN SAYS THE BEST WAY TO AVOID BECOMING THE 20TH VICTIM IS TO GET A FLU SHOT. HE SAYS FLU ACTIVITY IS STILL VERY ACTIVE ACROSS NEW MEXICO.
LANDEN SAYS THE VACCINE IN USE RIGHT NOW IS ABOUT 47 PERCENT EFFECTIVE OVERALL AND 61 PERCENT EFFECTIVE FOR CHILDREN SIX MONTHS TO 17 YEARS OF AGE.
