March 1, 2024 – This flu season, the CDC estimates vaccines are 41 to 44% effective in stopping flu-related hospitalizations in adults and 52 to 61% effective in children. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report released on Thursday.
Federal health officials said the outcomes of their report show that flu vaccination for the 2023 to 2024 season is effective in reducing the danger of flu-related doctor visits and hospitalizations. Overall, the effectiveness of the flu vaccination this season is concerning the same as in previous years.
“We are right in the range that we normally see when the vaccine matches well with circulating viruses. The effectiveness of the vaccine is good and it is working as it has in previous years,” said Sascha Ellington, PhD, head of the Influenza Division of the CDC Prevention and Control Team, in keeping with an announcement CBS News.
The vaccine effectiveness estimates are based on ongoing CDC studies that depend on records from immunization registries, clinics, emergency departments, emergency departments, hospitals and medical health insurance claims.
Flu vaccines are adjusted annually to work against the predominant strains of flu that health officials say are prevalent. This flu season, the vaccines are designed to work against two subtypes of influenza A and two subtypes of influenza B.
An FDA committee is planned Vote on TuesdayCBS News reported which vaccines could be used next flu season.
FDA and World Health Organization committees have called for the removal of vaccine components that focus on the influenza B Yamagata subtype, which has disappeared in the course of the COVID pandemic, CBS News said. If this concept is adopted, vaccines could be switched from quadrivalent to trivalent next flu season.
The CDC said It has recently been determined that flu rates remain elevated nationally, with flu activity increasing within the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and Central States.
The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends that everybody older than 6 months receive an annual flu shot.