The flu shot is 77 percent ineffective this year, reducing someone’s chances of contracting the flu by just a measly 23 percent, the Herald Tribune reports. The failure of the vaccine was caused by a shifting H3N2 flu virus that changed into forms not covered by the agreed-upon strains chosen by a panel of health experts in February. By the time this change was discovered, it was too late and the vaccine had already been set.
This year’s flu season is considered to be “moderately severe,” with 26 children already having died. In an unusual and seemingly isolated case, newlywed Katie McQuestion died after contracting flu-related sepsis, a disease which infects the blood and causes severe inflammation. She was 26 years old and had gotten married just months before her death on Jan. 2.
McQuestion began feeling ill on Dec. 29 and rapidly deteriorated over the next few days. She was admitted to the hospital, but died just 12 hours later from a heart attack brought on by the blood infection. The tragedy sheds light on the severe dangers of the flu and the importance of getting a flu shot.
To determine that the flu shot is 77 percent ineffective for this particular flu season, researchers studied 2,321 people who went to the doctor with the flu. In normal years, the scientists say, most people who made the trip to the physician for flu had not been vaccinated, but this year, things were drastically different. Many flu cases were seen among those who had gotten the shot.
Health officials stress that even though the vaccine has such a large failure rate this year, it is still crucial that people choose to get the shot anyway. Doctors say the shot might help those who do get sick to experience milder symptoms, and the vaccine is still effective in 23 percent of cases.
Physicians also urge that anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms contact their doctor immediately, since early intervention with an anti-viral such as Tamiflu can curb the duration and severity of the illness. Taking anti-virals also reduces the risk of a person spreading the virus to others.
Because the flu shot is 77 percent ineffective this year, it is important to take additional steps to protect yourself from the flu. These steps include staying warm, frequent hand-washing, disinfection of things other people touch, such as gym equipment or pens in public places; avoiding breathing in when someone else coughs or sneezes near you, and staying away from anyone who complains of flu-like symptoms.