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Flu Vaccine Providing Less Protection

Getting a flu shot may not provide as much protection as you think this season. The Centers for Disease Control has reported a rise in resistance to oseltamivir (Tamiflu). Of the 350 influenza isolates tested this season, 16 (4.6%) were resistant to the antiviral medication. All of the resistance is among H1NI influenza A virus, where it accounts for 8.1% of isolates tested — up from 0.7% last flu season.The CDC reports that 84% of cases of flu are being caused by influenza A, with the remainder by influenza B. Slightly more than half of the influenza A cases are now being caused by an H3N2 strain, rather than H1N1.

However, the CDC said that this increase in resistance is not enough for the agency to alter its recommendations for use of the antiviral medication. The agency currently recommends using oseltamivir or zanamivir (Relenza) as a second line of defense after vaccination because it can help prevent infection and reduce the severity of the disease.
The CDC reported that 44 states are having widespread flu activity and five are reporting regional activity up from the previous week’s numbers of 31 and 17. The agency has received 10 confirmed pediatric deaths from the flu.

Should we be getting Flu Shots? Why? Why not?

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