Flu Vaccine Not Very Effective This Year
February 25, 2013
When it comes to this year’s flu season, there is some good news and some bad news. The good news is that despite it being a particularly bad year for influenza, we are past the worst of the season. The bad news in this year’s flu vaccine was less than 10% effective for seniors, the most vulnerable population. And the numbers for the general population under 65 years old was 56%.
While the vaccine’s ineffectiveness, especially for seniors, is certainly worrisome, the state Department of Health says this news is no reason to avoid the flu shot in the future. Isaac Kaplan-Woolner spoke with DOH spokesman Tim Church.