Did you get a flu shot this year? According to preliminary data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this year’s flu vaccine has been 48 percent effective in protecting those who received vaccinations. While flu season is nearly over, due to elevated flu activity throughout the United States and widespread activity in 24 states, the CDC is continuing to recommend vaccination for anyone who has not yet received their annual flu shot.
How Does the 2016-2017 Flu Season Compare to Previous Seasons?
While an effectiveness rating of 48 percent for the flu vaccine may sound low, it is actually the highest rate of effectiveness for the flu shot in recent years. Last season, the CDC reported that the flu vaccine was 47 percent effective, and that followed an effectiveness rating of just 19 percent during the 2014-2015 season.
This season’s 48 percent effectiveness rating is based upon the combination of two figures: (i) the flu vaccine’s 43 percent effectiveness against the A (H3N2) flu strain, and (ii) its 73 percent effectiveness against B-strain influenza viruses. According to the CDC’s data, there have been more than 28,000 reported instances of A-strain (H3N2) flu viruses at public health laboratories since October 2016, along with approximately 6,000 instances of B-strain infections. The CDC updates these figures on a weekly basis. Overall, during the 2016-2017 flu season the rate of hospitalization for laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated conditions has been 57.2 per 100,000 population.
Who Should Get the Flu Shot?
Despite the fact that flu season has ended, the CDC is still urging people to get their flu shots through the end of May. As reported by the American Academy of Family Physicians, individuals living in the Midwest and on the East Coast are among those who are currently at the greatest risk for contracting the flu. The high rate of incidents experienced in the Northwest earlier this flu season has waned, though overall flu activity in the U.S. remains high.
While the CDC generally recommends vaccination against influenza, individuals with certain medical and health conditions should not be vaccinated. Anyone concerned about the risks associated with the flu shot should consult their physician. For example, the CDC notes that the flu shot may not be recommended for individuals who:
- Have had a prior severe allergic reaction to a flu shot
- Have previously been diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
- Have certain illnesses at the time of proposed vaccination
Other potential risks associated with the annual flu shot include the risk of brachial neuritis and shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA).
Are You Experiencing Pain After a Flu Shot? Call for a Free Consultation
For individuals diagnosed with flu shot-related illnesses and injuries, compensation may be available under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). At the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant & Associates, we represent individuals and families in vaccine injury claims nationwide. To learn more about your rights under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program in a free and confidential consultation, call (202) 775-9200 or tell us about your flu shot injury online today.