Flu vaccine may only be 10% effective this year

“The only time my husband and I ever got them, we’ve never been so sick in our lives so we’ve been avoiding them like the plague”, said Tiffany King, who doesn’t get a flu shot. For 2016-2017, there were more than 70,000 confirmed influenza cases in Missouri.

The four most deadly flu seasons of the last 10 years – in the winters of 2003-2004, 2007-2008, 2012-2013, and 2014-15 – were H3N2 seasons, each with a particular version of that flu type.

“It’s still early to make a specific prediction, but all indications point to high flu activity, so it’s important that people start getting their flu vaccine now”.

Martin Hirsch, an infectious disease physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Infectious Diseases, told USA Today that while 10 percent seems low, “flu vaccines are usually only about 40 percent to 60 percent effective in the best of years”.

Matthew Maurer, Epidemiologist, says there are many various strains of the flu virus.

Symptoms include high fever, body aches, and weakness but both doctors agree on how to get ahead of it.

Vaccine viruses included in the 2017-18 USA trivalent influenza vaccines are as follows: A/Michigan/45/2015 (H1N1) pdm09-like virus, an A/Hong Kong/4801/2014 (H3N2)-like virus, and a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus (Victoria lineage).

However, while vaccinated people can still get sick, generally they get a milder and less unsafe form of the illness.

For those not covered by insurance, a flu vaccine costs $35.

DCPH reminds residents that getting vaccinated is a community effort that not only protects yourself, but also family, friends and those around you, the news release said.

The Health District offers flu shots at the following clinic locations. Follow your health care provider’s instructions for taking these medications. Even in off years, it’s still your best protection, McGeer said.

The holidays are nearly here, and that means family gatherings and holiday parties where people tend to be in close personal contact. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. After you touch these objects, you can catch the virus when you touch your mouth, nose, or eyes.

Clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces. “Wash hands, and stay home if you’re sick”, Tool-Crawford added. Flu shots can reduce flu illnesses, doctor visits, missed school and work days as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations.