Flu Vaccine: CDC Report Finds Vaccine 68% Effective in Children but Less Protective for Seniors This Season

Flu Vaccine: CDC Report Finds Vaccine 68% Effective in Children but Less Protective for Seniors This Season | The Lifesciences Magazine

The flu vaccine has been a topic of discussion this year, as it has been reported to be less effective for seniors but more effective for children. According to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu vaccine was 68% effective at preventing hospitalizations among children but less protective for seniors this season.

What do the studies show?

The study analyzed data from more than 4,000 patients across 14 states who were hospitalized with flu-like symptoms between October 1, 2022, and January 31, 2023. Of those patients, 64% were over the age of 50, and 36% were children under the age of 18.

The data revealed that the flu vaccine was 68% effective at preventing hospitalizations among children. This is a significant improvement over last year when the flu vaccine was only 52% effective in preventing hospitalizations in children.

However, the vaccine was found to be less effective in preventing hospitalizations among seniors. According to the CDC report, the vaccine was only 32% effective in preventing hospitalizations among adults aged 65 and older.

While the flu vaccine is not perfect, health officials still recommend getting vaccinated as it is the best way to protect against the flu. Even if the vaccine is less effective in some populations, it can still provide some level of protection and reduce the severity of symptoms if you do get sick.

Why flu vaccine is a must despite everything?

It is also important to note that the flu season is not over yet, and the effectiveness of the vaccine may change as new strains of the virus emerge. The CDC will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the flu vaccine and provide updates as necessary.

In addition to getting vaccinated, there are other steps you can take to protect yourself from the flu. These include washing your hands frequently, covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, avoiding close contact with sick people, and staying home if you are sick.

The flu can be a serious illness, especially for young children, seniors, and people with underlying health conditions. In addition to hospitalization, the flu can also lead to complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and even death. Getting vaccinated and taking preventative measures can help reduce the spread of the virus and protect yourself and those around you.

In conclusion, the flu vaccine was found to be 68% effective at preventing hospitalizations among children but less effective for seniors this season. While the vaccine may not be perfect, it is still recommended as the best way to protect against the flu. It is also important to take preventative measures such as washing your hands and avoiding close contact with sick people to reduce the spread of the virus.

12 Side Effects of Flu Shots You Should Know

Even though there are side effects of flu shots, getting a flu shot is still a good idea. The following is a list of potential adverse reactions to the flu shot that you should be aware of this season.

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