The Salt Lake Tribune : declared in Flu vaccine ineffective last winter for people 65 and older

In four of the last seven flu seasons, flu vaccine was essentially ineffective in seniors, past studies suggest. About 40 percent of older Americans get a higher-dose flu vaccine that is supposed to work better. Health officials say flu vaccine still protects many people. Over the last ten winters, overall flu vaccine effectiveness has averaged about 46 percent. Last winter's vaccine did well in protecting young children, about 60 percent effective.

Flu vaccine ineffective for people 65 and older last winter

The flu vaccine did a poor job protecting older Americans against the illness last winter, even though the vaccine was well-matched to the flu bugs going around. In four of the last seven flu seasons, flu vaccine was essentially ineffective in seniors, past studies suggest. About 40 percent of older Americans get a higher-dose flu vaccine that is supposed to work better. Over the last ten winters, overall flu vaccine effectiveness has averaged about 46 percent. That includes people 65 and older — the group that's hardest hit by flu, suffering the most deaths and hospitalizations.


Besides them, the vaccine appeared to offer little protection for adults aged 18–49 years. CDC's preliminary report on the latest influenza season revealed that vaccinated Americans received a modest level of protection against the virus. On the other hand, it was about 60% effective for young children—although less, but still reasonably, effective for older children as well as adults aged 50–64 years. CDC investigators are exploring questions like whether past vaccinations affect vaccine efficacy and if a higher-dose product produces better results. Those aged 65 years and older, who present the greatest risk of influenza-related mortality, were hospitalized during the most recent cycle at the highest clip since the challenging 2014–15 season.


collected by :Lucy William

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