This year’s flu vaccine only 23% effective

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It’s a startling figure about the flu vaccine.  The U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has revealed the effectiveness of this year’s flu shot is only 23 per cent.

That means that the shot only reduced someone’s chances of having to go to the doctor because of flu by 23 per cent.  Canada’s data is expected to come later this month, but in previous years, our numbers have been quite similar to those south of the border.

Every year, scientists predict which flu strains will be most common and develop a vaccine to fight them. But the process isn’t foolproof.

This year’s dominant strain is called h3n2. But it mutated slightly, and the vaccine that was made months ago is no longer a perfect match.  In the U.S. it’s only 23% effective.

Dr. Alicia Fry, CDC:  “These are early estimates. They are lower than we would have hoped but not completely unexpected with the mismatched viruses that are circulating.”

In Canada, effectiveness rates aren’t expected until the end of January, but the Public Health Agency of Canada says:  “To date, the available Canadian data estimates a low level of vaccine effectiveness against the h3n2 strain, consistent with the U.S.”

That doesn’t mean there is no benefit to being vaccinated.  It’s still the best method of protection available.

Dr Sanjay Gupta:  “You are not going to be as sick or as likely to get sick, or if you do get sick it will have a shorter duration.  People who get the flu may recover sooner than they would have if they hadn’t gotten the shot because it can help fight off related viruses. Still, you should take extra precautions to avoid catching, or spreading, it in the first place.”

Wash your hands thoroughly several times a day, avoid close contact with people who seem sick and sneeze into an elbow instead of your hand.

If you think you have the flu, public health recommends that people at high risk, like seniors, should talk to a health care provider about early treatment with antiviral drugs. If you’re likely to have flu complications it’s important to start treatment as soon as possible.