This year's flu vaccine not too useful

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

(AP) ATLANTA-It turns out this year's flu shot is doing a startlingly dismal job of protecting older people, the most vulnerable age group.The vaccine is proving only 9 percent effective in those 65 and older against the strain of the flu that is predominant this season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday. Health officials are baffled as to why this is so. But the findings help explain why so many older people have been hospitalized with the flu this year.

Despite the findings, the CDC stood by its recommendation that everyone over 6 months old get flu shots, the elderly included, because some protection is better than none, and because those who are vaccinated and still get sick may suffer less severe symptoms.

Neener, neener, neener, told ya so.

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

Half my co-workers, including myself, came down with Influenza A and B!!! Could have been sicker I guess, but still. And ours was mandated.

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

Yeah, we've been seeing a lot of flu in vaccinated patients this season. It must be a poor match this year.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

maybe a poor match, maybe sloppy habits by the general populace that think the vaccine is "all that".

[Nurse2BeInGA]

Are all medical facilities and nursing schools in Georgia requiring those? I've never had a flu vaccine before, but my nursing school is requiring it because the clinical sites require it.

[shicurls, BSN]

Are all medical facilities and nursing schools in Georgia requiring those? I've never had a flu vaccine before but my nursing school is requiring it because the clinical sites require it.[/quote']

Pretty much, when I was in clinicals some facilities required staff members that were not vaccinated to wear masks throughout their shift.

[Indy, LPN, LVN]

I got influenza A this year from a patient, and gave it to my husband before either of us knew what hit us. Our entire household was vaccinated. It wasn't a good week. I shudder to think how it might have been with no vaccine. My daughter took one look at us and said "oh no" and got out bleach wipes for the bathrooms and the kitchen. Then she promptly stayed away from us. Smart gal.

[MunoRN, RN]

It's never been all that effective in the elderly or otherwise compromised patients, there seems to be a myth that the vaccine is intended to solely protect the vaccine recipient.

The elderly depend on those around them being vaccinated more than they depend on the vaccine they receive themselves.