The CDC annually predicts which type of flu (there are 2 genes in each virus, with many varieties of each possible) will predominate and incorporated that in their vaccine. Based on cultures in this year's flu viruses, the efficacy is:
• Influenza A(H3N2): 25%
• Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09: 67%
• Influenza B: 42%
Overall, 36% are controlled with the vaccine. However, looking at age groups they found:
Children aged 6 months through 8 years (59% effective)
Adults aged 18 through 49 (33% effective).
The flu can be a fatal illness. If you had a 36% chance of preventing a fatal disease would't you take it. Side effects are minimal.
And, In a news conference on Thursday, the CDC's Dr. Anne Schuchat noted that three out of four children who've died from flu this season were not vaccinated.
Everyone over 6 months old should be vaccinated.
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