The vaccine was ineffective this year Most of the people I have admitted with flu did get the vaccine. The pitfalls of forecasting which strain of influenza will predominate are well known. Some years are better than others. That is no reason for those at high risk for the flu to skip the vaccine. Any protection is better than none.
The really bad part of this flu season may not have fully hit. Early on we were seeing a lot of H3N2 flu. I understand H1N1 is now starting to rise... so we may see a dual peak this year.
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The vaccine hasbeen very effective this year. Its doing exactly what it is engineered to do: propagate the flu!
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Mom MD :" ..Most of the people I have admitted with flu did get the vaccine.
The pitfalls of forecasting which strain of influenza will predominate are well known.
Some years are better than others..." "The really bad part of this flu season may not have fully hit.
Early on we were seeing a lot of H3N2 flu.
I understand H1N1 is now starting to rise... so we may see a dual peak this year."
Thanks Mom MD for your sharing your experience with the flu this year
Each year, the people who make flu vaccines make an educated and scientific analysis of the flu season, and make an educated guess as to which flu varient will be dominant.
Sometimes they get it right,.. and sometimes not so much.
Some years it is 65% accurate, and sometimes only 20% accurate in their prognostication.
It takes approximately 1 year to make enough vaccine for the populace, and in really bad years there is generally a shortage of vaccine.
Doctors are encouraging those will suppressed immune systems, the chronicly ill, individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, and the elderly to get the flu shot.
If you get the flu shot, and actually contract the flu, your symptoms are supposed to be lessened and ameliorated.
This varient of the flu seems to be more deadly than normal, even impacting heavily on young children and those with pre-existing medical conditions.
Caution is advised to avoid large crowds, if unavoidable, take medical precautions (mask, frequent hand washing, avoiding obviously ill cashiers in stores,
avoid touching your face, eyes, or mucus membranes when in public)
Those are the types that were predicted for this year though, right?
The vaccine this year is designed to protect against H1N1, H3N2, and a B type flu.
Was the vaccine just not powerful enough?