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March 12, 2014
CDC: Vaccine About 60% Effective Overall This
Influenza Season

Atlanta—This year’s influenza vaccination offered substantial protection this season, reducing doctor’s visits for the illness by about 60% across all ages, according to the CDC.

“The good news is that this season's vaccine is doing its job, protecting people across all age groups,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, MD, MPH.

In the flu vaccine effectiveness (VE) study, the CDC looked at data from 2,319 children and adults enrolled in the U.S. Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness (Flu VE) Network from December 2, 2013, to January 23, 2014. Flu vaccine reduced the risk of having to go to the doctor for flu illness by an estimated 61% across all ages, the survey found.

Vaccine effectiveness for influenza A and B viruses ranged from 52% for people 65 and older to 67% percent for children 6 months to 17 years.

Slightly better protection against the predominant H1N1 virus was seen in older people: Vaccine effectiveness against H1N1 was estimated to be 56% in the 65 and older cohort and 62% in people 50 to 64 years of age.

Those percentages are comparable to other seasons when the viruses in the vaccine have been well-matched with circulating influenza viruses, according to the CDC. Canada’s interim estimates also fell into the same range.

Even though flu vaccine might vary in how well it works, the CDC recommends that every American 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine.

“We are committed to the development of better flu vaccines, but existing flu vaccines are the best preventive tool available now,” Frieden said. “This season, vaccinated people were substantially better off than people who did not get vaccinated.”

He also suggested that the flu season is still ongoing, and those who have not been vaccinated should do so.

Flu surveillance data suggests that flu activity is likely to continue for a number of weeks, especially in areas where activity started later in the season. Some states that saw earlier increases in flu activity are now seeing decreases, but other states are still seeing high levels of flu activity or continued increases in activity, according to the CDC.




U.S. Pharmacist Social Connect