Flu season is quiet ... so far

by Tom Crann, Minnesota Public Radio

St. Paul, Minn. — So far, so good for this year's flu season. Minnesota is officially five weeks into the flu season, and according to the Minnesota Department of Health, there are no reported incidents of influenza in the state. And there are no vaccine shortages reported this year, either.

But the flu is serious business. Each year in the U.S., over 200,000 people are hospitalized by the flu, and 36,000 people die from flu or its complications.

All Things Considered host Tom Crann talked to the show's medical analyst, Dr. Jon Hallberg, about the flu and its consequences.

Broadcast Dates

• All Things Considered, 11/15/2006, 5:48 p.m.