Flu Shots Are Moderately Effective This Season, CDC Says (2024)

FAQs

Flu Shots Are Moderately Effective This Season, CDC Says? ›

March 1, 2024 -- The vaccines for this flu season are 41% to 44% effective in preventing flu-related hospitalization in adults and 52% to 61% effective for children, according to estimates in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report issued Thursday.

Flu vaccine effectiveness: 2022-2023 flu season for ages 18-64. Vaccine effectiveness was 45 percent against E.D. /critical care visits(moderate disease) for adults under age 65. Effectiveness against hospitalization (severe disease) was 23 percent.

Flu vaccine effectiveness in children this season

Looking further into these early estimates, we see that children who were vaccinated for the flu this flu season were: About 59% to 67% less likely to visit a healthcare provider due to the flu. About 52% to 61% less likely to be hospitalized for the flu.

Everyone 6 months and older in the United States, with rare exception, should get an influenza (flu) vaccine every season. CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has made this “universal” recommendation since the 2010-2011 influenza season.

Vaccine effectiveness is a measure of how well vaccination protects people against health outcomes such as infection, symptomatic illness, hospitalization, and death. Vaccine effectiveness is generally measured by comparing the frequency of health outcomes in vaccinated and unvaccinated people.

The flu shot offers protection against the flu for at least 6 months. Healthcare professionals usually vaccinate most people in October, when flu activity typically begins to increase, so their immunity will last until the following April.

While vaccine effectiveness (VE) can vary, recent studies show that flu vaccination reduces the risk of flu illness by between 40% and 60% among the overall population during seasons when most circulating flu viruses are well-matched to those used to make flu vaccines.

Currently circulating in humans are subtype A(H1N1) and A(H3N2) influenza viruses.

Flucelvax Quad, a cell-based influenza vaccine is funded under the NIP in 2024 for at-risk population aged 5 to 64 years. There is no preference for use between Flucelvax Quad and standard dose egg-based influenza vaccines.

First case of A(H1N2)v virus in the US in 2024

Variant influenza A virus infections are novel influenza A virus infections. A novel influenza A virus is an influenza A virus that is different from seasonal influenza A viruses spreading among people.

How long does the flu vaccine last? ›

Yes, the flu shot wears off in about six months. The flu shot does not provide long-lasting protection, which is another reason we need to get one every year. When should I get a flu shot? We typically suggest getting the flu shot in the early fall, before the virus starts circulating in the community.

For most persons who need only one dose of influenza vaccine for the season, vaccination should ideally be offered during September or October. However, vaccination should continue throughout the season as long as influenza viruses are circulating. Vaccination during July and August is not recommended for most groups.

Officials with the federal health agency said that the findings from their report show that the flu shot for the 2023 to 2024 season is effective at reducing the risk of flu-related doctor's visits and hospitalizations. Overall, this season's flu shot effectiveness is about the same as previous years.

While no vaccine offers 100% protection, they are extremely effective and are our best defense against infectious diseases.

The vaccine effectiveness was 58% among people who were tested between seven and 59 days after having received a shot, and 49% among those who were tested 60 to 119 days after receipt of the vaccine.

It takes 10 to 14 days following vaccination before an immune response and protection develops. Therefore, most countries start immunisation in the early autumn. It is rare that the annual influenza epidemic season starts before mid-November, and the season commonly runs to the end of May the following year.

Influenza (flu) viruses typically spread in fall and winter, with activity peaking between December and February. Getting vaccinated in the fall can lower your chances of getting the flu. Flu is a serious disease, caused by influenza viruses, that can lead to hospitalization and even death.

When is flu season in the United States? In the United States, flu season usually occurs in the fall and winter. While influenza viruses spread year-round, most of the time flu activity peaks between December and February.