AUTUMN'S lower humidity, cooler weather and nice breezes also coincide with the start of the flu season.

From late September through April, the threat of catching the dreaded influenza looms large. While not a serious virus to most people, it can prove to be fatal in others.

According to the Centres for Disease Control (CDC) in the US, there were close to 36,000 deaths in America attributed to the flu during the 2006-7 flu season, 65 of which were children under the age of 18.

In Bermuda, however, the statistics are harder to account for, says Dr. Brenda Davidson, the senior medical officer with the Department of Health (DoH).

What she does know is that there were more than 800 cases of flu during the last season and some of those cases may have contributed to the onset of pneumonia and other fatal conditions in the elderly.

Influenza stems from Latin and Italian words that mean "influence" and common symptoms of the disease include fever, sore throat, muscle ache, coughing, weakness and general discomfort. In more serious cases, influenza can cause pneumonia, which can be fatal, particularly in young children and the elderly.

New year, new strain

Every year the virus mutates slightly so that vaccines have to be updated. The CDC continuously tracks the various strains so that they can provide recommendations to the pharmaceutical companies so they can alter their product.

"One of the biggest challenges in the flight against influenza is producing new vaccines every year," said Dr. Jesse L. Goodman, director of FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.

"There is no other instance where new vaccines must be made every year."

That's why, explained Dr. Davidson, it's important to get a flu shot every year. A shot last year doesn't protect you during the flu season this year.

Vaccine's triple protection

The vaccines that are produced each year protect against three strains of the flu virus. While there are thousands of flu strains, the world health authorities study virus samples and patterns collected throughout the year from around the world to identify the strains that cause the most illness.

So when you head to the clinic or doctor this year for a flu shot, you will be receiving immunisation against three strains.

According to Dr. Davidson, the process is not an exact science but the health experts "usually almost always get it right."

Vaccinate children, protect grandparents

The Department of Health is encouraging parents to vaccinate their children as young as six months due to the fact that the population of children is a very large pool which can spread to adults.

Since flu is a relatively minor condition for the healthy, says Dr. Davidson, parents sometimes do not place flu vaccinations at the top of their to-do list. That mindset, she says, can have a bigger impact that one would think. Children who have to stay home from school for a week must be taken care of by parents who have to take off from work, which could affect the family financially.

Children with the flu can also infect the elderly or the ill who have weakened immune systems. This could result in that population contracting serious and potentially fatal conditions.

"There was a study in China," explained Dr. Davidson, "that showed the direct correlation between the immunisation of children and the dramatic drop in death among the elderly."

We're ahead of schedule

Almost 50 cases of flu were reported from April to July of this year, which is a notable increase compared to the same period last year.

"The incidence of flu never went away completely," said Dr. Davidson. "And now we are starting into the flu season, which is why it is important to become immunised."

Myth revealed

According to Dr. Davidson, a common misconception amongst people is that if you get the flu shot, you can possibly get the flu.

"Not true," she said. "The vaccine is not a live vaccine. The shot cannot give you the flu."

All aboard the 'Flu Express'

While the Department of Health has yet to receive this year's supply of vaccines, which is due to arrive shortly, Dr. Davidson said that people will be able to obtain their shots through several sources in addition to their private doctor.

The DoH's health clinics in Hamilton, St. George's and Somerset will be stocked, district nurses will be distributing vaccines to high-risk facilities and populations and the "Flu Express" mobile units will be deployed to give drive-by injections. The cost of flu shots will be $10 per dose and seniors over the age of 65 will be free.

Additionally, people can also obtain their flu shots at the hospital and should check with their physician as some private doctors also obtain their own supply of vaccinations.