Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Helen Branswell
Published on 2024-02-29 14:37:11
The flu vaccine has shown to provide good levels of protection this winter, especially in children, based on new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The vaccine effectiveness estimates were presented at a meeting of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and were derived from four national databases and a separate analysis from California.
The effectiveness of the flu vaccine is still ongoing this season, and these estimates are preliminary. The CDC will continue to monitor and assess the vaccine’s effectiveness as the season progresses. Flu activity peaked over the Christmas holidays and has been decreasing slowly since then. The CDC has classified this flu season as being of moderate severity.
In children, the vaccine effectiveness against any type of flu infection requiring medical care ranged from 59% to 67%. Protection against illness severe enough to warrant hospitalization ranged from 52% to 61%. The vaccine effectiveness in children against influenza A H1N1 viruses, which have been predominant this season, ranged from 54% to 61% against flu infection requiring medical care and between 64% and 89% in protecting against influenza B viruses.
For all adults, the vaccines provided robust protection against flu B virus, with an effectiveness of 78% against illness requiring medical care and 60% against serious illness requiring hospitalization. Even in adults aged 65 and older, who are more susceptible to severe flu complications, the vaccine showed strong protection. However, effectiveness against H1N1 viruses was lower in all adults, estimated at 25% against illness requiring medical care and 50% against hospitalization. The vaccine appeared to be somewhat more effective in adults 65 and older who receive specially formulated shots.
Despite the CDC’s recommendation for everyone 6 months and older to get vaccinated annually, vaccine uptake has been declining following the Covid-19 pandemic. The CDC estimates that only 51% of children and 48% of adults have received the flu vaccine this year, with the rate among individuals 65 and older at nearly 74%.
Overall, the flu vaccine has proven to be effective in providing protection against the flu, especially in children and older adults. It is important to continue to monitor flu activity and vaccination rates to ensure widespread protection against the flu virus.
