Flu vaccine said less effective than thought, but still helpful

Saturday, March 2, 2013

INDIANAPOLIS--The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced last week that this season's flu vaccine is less effective than previously reported--showing 56 percent overall effectiveness for children and adults up to age 64 and only nine percent effectiveness for adults 65 and older. Sixty-one flu-related deaths have now been reported in Indiana, the vast majority of them individuals 65 and older, according to the latest weekly influenza report from the Indiana State Department of Health.

"We know the flu vaccine will not prevent all flu and it's not perfect, but it is still the best defense we have for preventing flu," said State Health Commissioner William VanNess, M.D. "The new information about the effectiveness of this season's flu vaccine might seem discouraging, but it's important to note that getting the flu vaccine can significantly reduce hospitalizations and deaths, even if it doesn't protect from flu in all cases. This is especially critical for those 65 and older, for whom influenza can be a very serious disease."

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