According to the CDC estimate, vaccines administered to people past year was around 19% effective. Vaccines only had a 13% success rate at warding off sickness, last year.
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However, they say it is still early in the season and it is not unusual for new strains to form throughout the season.
“So, that allows us also to go into participating Boone County elementary, middle and high schools to provide those vaccines on various days”, said Waner.
One-hundred-and-one flu deaths were recorded across the province and influenza landed more than 1,300 Albertans in hospital by the time the flu season ended in the spring. Adult deaths are not tracked, but studies estimate there are anywhere between 3,000 to 49,000 people who die from the flu in any given season.
Flu shots are recommended each year for everyone 6 months of age and older.
Essentia Health clinics are offering 10-minute appointments at all locations: Baxter, Brainerd, Crosslake, Emily, Hackensack, Pequot Lakes, Pierz, Pillager and Pine River.
Although the study found a reduced risk of flu-related pneumonia in vaccinated people, the researchers did not find that the vaccine itself prevents pneumonia. Arp adds that, “Vaccinations should begin as soon as vaccines are available [and that] it takes about two weeks after receiving a vaccination for the necessary antibodies to develop to protect against the influenza virus infection”.
Dr. Dillaha especially encourages the following high-risk groups to get the flu shot: women who are pregnant, elderly, children older than six months, people with weakened immune systems or chronic health conditions, and people who smoke.
“That strain, which only emerged as the vaccine had already been produced…that that strain was not much protected by the flu vaccination a year ago”, Frieden said.
“That’s very important. If you have an opportunity to get vaccinated, please get vaccinated”, he said.
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If you’re not a fan of shots there are other ways you can be immunized.
