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DonViejo

(60,536 posts) Thu Oct 25, 2018, 01:09 PM Oct 2018

Drop in adult flu vaccinations may be a factor in last season's record-breaking deaths, illnesses [View all]

Source: The Washington Post

More people were killed by influenza last season than in any other since the 1970s.

By Lena H. Sun October 25 at 12:57 PM

Fewer than 4 out of 10 adults in the United States got flu shots last winter, the lowest rate in seven seasons and one likely reason why the 2017-2018 season was the deadliest in decades.

Reports released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide new details outlining the severity of the past flu season during which more people were killed than any seasonal influenza since the 1970s.

Flu vaccination is the main way to prevent sickness and death caused by flu. But last season, vaccination coverage among adults was 37.1 percent, a decrease of 6.2 percentage points from the previous season. That’s the lowest rate for adults 18 and older since 2010-2011.

“That’s huge. It’s a striking inflection down from the previous year,” said William Schaffner, an infectious-diseases expert at Vanderbilt University and medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2018/10/25/drop-adult-flu-vaccinations-may-be-factor-last-seasons-record-breaking-deaths-illnesses/

42 replies

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Drop in adult flu vaccinations may be a factor in last season's record-breaking deaths, illnesses [View all] DonViejo Oct 2018 OP

I would like to see how many of those flu cases came in spite of a flu shot. northoftheborder Oct 2018 #1

As a medical clinician, I tend to distrust patients who claim they got the flu in spite of Aristus Oct 2018 #12

Do you recommend the super duper vaccines TexasBushwhacker Oct 2018 #19

I remember last year, the word was the vaccine was "only 20% effective" . . . Journeyman Oct 2018 #20

Last year's vaccine was only around 25% effective Ms. Toad Oct 2018 #29

Please see my other posts regarding the importance of partial immunity. Aristus Oct 2018 #33

Got mine Monday hibbing Oct 2018 #2

Got mine today DownriverDem Oct 2018 #6

I've never heard of insurance not covering it TexasBushwhacker Oct 2018 #18

as I recall, the shot KT2000 Oct 2018 #3

You are correct - it was only about 25% effective Ms. Toad Oct 2018 #30

They opened the door.... mbusby Oct 2018 #4

! montana_hazeleyes Oct 2018 #9

It's a children's chant, used while jumping rope. littlemissmartypants Oct 2018 #22

Thank you for the info. montana_hazeleyes Oct 2018 #23

You're welcome. It's a really interesting documentary. littlemissmartypants Oct 2018 #39

that, and the fact Brainstormy Oct 2018 #5

Got mine...9-20-18 Maxheader Oct 2018 #7

I've learned to keep my mouth shut around the anti-vaxxer moon-man talk. LanternWaste Oct 2018 #8

It could also be attributed to the fact that last year's vaccine was wasupaloopa Oct 2018 #10

It's more accurate to state that the vaccine was not a perfect match to the strain that emerged. Aristus Oct 2018 #13

"not a perfect match" is stretching the facts. Ms. Toad Oct 2018 #31

Not entirely sure what it is you're trying to accomplish with all this. Aristus Oct 2018 #34

I don't oppose vaccines. Ms. Toad Oct 2018 #36

I've been getting an annual flu shot ever since I had my son. Get him one too. SunSeeker Oct 2018 #11

The vaccine was 20% effective at best..... Chakaconcarne Oct 2018 #14

"lowest rate for adults 18 and older since 2010-2011" BumRushDaShow Oct 2018 #15

maybe the up tick in cases was because last years vaccine was the wrong one scarytomcat Oct 2018 #16

Ya think? Less people getting the vaccine, more illnesses? GulfCoast66 Oct 2018 #17

Finally resumed shots; but still resentful geralmar Oct 2018 #21

Flu shot, got sick anyway FDRLincoln Oct 2018 #24

Good for you. A science believer! GulfCoast66 Oct 2018 #25

Not to mention the concern trolls who clutch their pearls and bleat: "It's only 25% effective!" Aristus Oct 2018 #35

Lower effectiveness resulted in fewer people getting it. Chemisse Oct 2018 #26

Used to watch my parents get their shots every year Draugr Oct 2018 #27

What other vaccines do you skip? GulfCoast66 Oct 2018 #28

Most influenza lasts 3-7 days. 1-2 weeks is a considerable exaggeration Ms. Toad Oct 2018 #32

I had the flu last winter Freddie Oct 2018 #38

I'm not saying all bouts of influenza last only 3-5 days, in all people. Ms. Toad Oct 2018 #40

Message auto-removed Name removed Oct 2018 #41

I Don't Get RobinA Oct 2018 #42

Got my flu shot this afternoon Rhiannon12866 Oct 2018 #37