Flu vaccines are almost 60 percent effective this season, said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additionally, the flu shot vaccine this year has reduced the risk of having to go to the doctor because of the flu by almost sixty percent; the comparable statistic last year was 23 percent. “It’s good news and underscores the importance and the benefit of both annual and ongoing vaccination efforts this season”, Bresee said in the statement. These results would make this season’s vaccine one of the most effective flu vaccines in the past few years, according to a report from CNN.
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CDC experts told the vaccine advisers that this year’s formula provided 51 percent effectiveness against the H1N1 viruses responsible for most flu illness this season. “This season, CDC has received reports of hospitalizations and deaths in young, otherwise healthy people who were infected with influenza A H1N1, but not vaccinated”.
Mild temperatures have also led to a slower flu season, but doctors say the threat of flu isn’t going away anytime soon.
This year, Welch suspected a slow start to the flu season is because of warmer winter weather all over the country.
Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association (RVNA) is holding two walk-in clinics for people who want to receive a flu shot and recommends that anyone who has not had one yet should receive one.
The flu vaccines on the market deliver a cocktail to protect against three or four strains of flu.
Unlike last year’s vaccine, this year’s is a good match to the strains making people sick.
The flu becomes even more risky when mutations occur because it typically takes four months to create a new flu vaccine, according to CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden.
The ACIP announced the latest vaccine effectiveness percentages at their February 24th meeting. Additionally, they note that the flu shot this year has proven to be far more effective than the last year’s version.
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This year, the national Centers for Disease Control recommends children ages 2 to 8 use the nasal spray vaccine.
