CDC: Poor Vaccine to Blame for Worst Flu Season in Three Years
This year's flu season was worse that the previous three, partly because the flu vaccine didn't effectively defend people against the viruses that made them sick, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The flu season started slowly this year, peaked in February, and seems to finally be declining.
Public Health scientists formulate a vaccine each year against the three most likely viruses to circulate throughout the flu season. Typically those guesses are relatively accurate, and the vaccine is 70% to 90% effective in preventing the flu throughout the season. This year, however, 2 of the 3 selected strains were not good matches, rendering the vaccine only 44% effective.
Type A H3N2 Brisbane strain of flu -- one which was not included in this season's vaccine -- has been responsible for most flu illnesses. Another Type B Florida strain, also absent from this season's vaccine, has been causing illness elsewhere. Data demonstrate that the vaccine didn't work at all against the Type B virus, and was 58% effective against the Brisbane virus.
Authors of the study warn that some people may lose faith in the flu vaccine and forgo their dose next year. Such a move would be a mistake, they insist, as even the lackluster vaccine provided this year still offered 44% protection against flu overall.
Previously on the DC Metro Area Medical Malpractice Law Blog, we have posted articles related to:
- New recommendations regarding pediatric flu vaccination
- A new study indicating that many physicians prescribe inappropriate flu drugs
- FDA recommendations regarding labeling of children's flu medications
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