New study says flu vaccine offers poor protection for seniors

Have you gotten a flu shot this year? The vaccination is widely available across North America, but as reported recently by CBSNews.com, a study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the vaccines aimed at fighting the most dangerous influenza strains performed poorly in seniors.

According to the CDC, the vaccine used to combat the H3N2 flu offered 58 per cent protection against children, 46 per cent protection for those aged 18 to 49, and 50 per cent protection for those aged 50 to 64. But for Americans aged 65 and older, the protection fell dramatically to nine per cent, although researchers told CBSNews.com they were yet to determine the reason.

Despite the vaccine’s poor protection for seniors, infectious disease experts told the news source the flu shot is still a useful tool.

“You have to add in all the benefits before you give the influenza vaccine a thumbs down,” Dr. William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University told the news source. He added that for best protection, seniors should contact their doctor at the first evidence of the flu.

According to the CDC, the flu kills about 24,000 Americans every year during flu season.

Did you get a flu vaccine this year? Why or why not? Tell us about it in the comment section below: