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By Cara Adler
Edited by André Sofair, MD, MPH, and William E. Chavey, MD, MS
So far this season, the flu vaccine has been only about 23% effective, according to a CDC analysis of some 2300 patients seeking outpatient care for acute respiratory illness in five states.
Among the other findings, reported in MMWR:
41% of patients tested positive for influenza virus.
96% of the viruses were influenza A (H3N2), 4% were influenza B.
67% of influenza A (H3N2) viruses were antigenically different from those in the vaccine.
Individuals who have not yet been vaccinated against the flu this season — including those who might have already had the flu — should still get vaccinated, the CDC says, as doing so can protect against viruses that are currently circulating or might circulate later.
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LINK(S):
MMWR article (Free)
CDC health update on influenza antiviral drug treatment (Free)
Background: Physician's First Watch coverage of flu activity this year (Free)