Monroe Residents: CDC Warns Flu Vaccine Not as Effective This Year

Written By Kara Seymour (Patch Staff)

This year’s flu vaccine isn’t as effective as years past, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control.

Since 2004, the CDC has analyzed the effectiveness of the flu shot and the results have ranged from 10 to 60 percent.

The CDC’s metric is based on how effective the vaccine is at preventing medical visits associated with seasonal flu illness.

This year the shot has a 23 percent chance of reducing a person’s risk of having to go to the doctor.

This season’s vaccine had “reduced protection,” leaving even those who got the shot highly susceptible to contracting the flu, according to the CDC.

One factor that determines how well a flu vaccine works is the similarity between the flu viruses used when producing it and the flu viruses that actually circulate.

Many of this season’s predominant viruses have “drifted” from the original vaccine virus.“

Health care providers should advise patients at high risk to call promptly if they get symptoms of influenza,” said Joe Bresee, branch chief in CDC’s Influenza Division.

Those that are high risk include the elderly, children, pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions.

The CDC said it would still recommend that people get a flu vaccine even during seasons when “drifted” viruses spread. The vaccination can prevent some infections and reduce the severity of the disease, it said.

Where to Get a Flu Shot in Connecticut

• Visit the HealthMap Vaccine Finder

• Call the Immunization Program at 860-509-7929 between 8 a.m and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, for help finding a community provider of influenza vaccinations

• Check with your usual health care provider for availability of influenza vaccinations

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