2017-2018 Flu Vaccine Only 36% Effective

According to a recent article published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the 2017-2018 seasonal flu vaccine is estimated to only be effective in preventing infection in 36 out of every 100 people who received it.

Even more concerning, researchers indicated that while this year’s flu vaccine was somewhat effective in preventing illness in recipients under the age of 49, it did not offer any significant protection against seasonal influenza in any other age group.  Despite the apparently poor effectiveness of this year’s flu vaccine, the CDC continued to recommend vaccination in an effort to prevent some infections with currently circulating influenza viruses. Why you may ask? Because even with currently low vaccine effectiveness estimates, the ongoing vaccination program is still likely to prevent thousands of hospitalizations and deaths.

Even though the 2017-2018 flu vaccine is only about 36% effective, in the unlikely event you were to experience an adverse reaction to this vaccine, the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program could provide coverage for your injury provided certain criteria are met.

If you or someone you know has been injured from a vaccine, the Vaccine Injury Legal Team at Sands Anderson can help you begin the road to recovery.