This Season’s Flu Vaccine As Effective As in Previous Years

This season’s flu vaccine was found to be as effective as the vaccines of previous years, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

 

This Season’s: Flu Vaccine Statistics

Right now, we are more than halfway through this year’s flu season. And, just reported data by the CDC, shows that this year’s vaccine has been 45% effective in protecting people. Such protection is good as it keeps them from visiting the doctor’s office.

 

The effectiveness of flu vaccines in past years has been between 40 percent to 60 percent.

 

The statistics for senior citizens were about the same as in past years.

 

Where the CDC did find a positive change was in the flu rates for children. Namely, that he protection for children this year was higher.

 

Researchers estimate that the vaccine offered 55% protection against those aged 6 months to 17 years. The data also show that the flu vaccine was effective against Influenza Type B with an effectiveness rate of 50 percent.

But, one negative finding is that the vaccine was ineffective against flu type A in children. Both flu types are considered especially dangerous for children.

So far this season, data show that there have been 14,000 deaths among adults this flu season.

 

This years’ flu season is expected to end by mid-March.