CYMK flu pic
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23% Effective or 67% Ineffective?

This Season’s Flu Vaccination Shot Disappoints Many


CYMK flu picDespite the flu vaccine proving only 23 percent effective this season, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 406 individuals of the Monmouth community received the flu vaccine provided by the University’s Health Services this fall according to Louise Bosmans, University Nurse Practitioner. 

Health Services provides flu vaccines to the campus community through several seasonal flu vaccine clinics each fall. Comparatively less individuals received the vaccine this year, as 453 individuals received the vaccine in the 2012-13 season and 466 received the vaccine in the 2013-14 season according to Bosmans. 

Bosmans also said that Health Services has already diagnosed the influenza virus within the Monmouth community. The Nurse Practitioner as also seen individuals with influenza-like illnesses as well.

About 200,000 people are hospitalized from the flu each year, and anywhere from 3,000 to 49,000 people die from flu-related illnesses each year, according to WebMD.

Regardless of the flu’s potential harm, the Huffington Post found that only eight percent of college students received the flu vaccine in the past year. According to an article from USA Today College published on Oct. 9, 2014, college students are at risk for contracting the flu due to various aspects of their lifestyles, such as having irregular schedules that lead to decreased sleep or poor nutrition. Additionally, socializing, attending class, and doing other activities where students are grouped together can cause the disease to spread quickly.

Kristen Gillette, Secretary of the Department of Political Science and Sociology and ardent supporter of the flu vaccine, said, “I think there are a few reasons students don’t get shots – fear of shots, being too busy to take the time to do it, and they think they are young and healthy so if they get the flu it won’t be a big deal. I think the awareness this year about the ineffectiveness of the shot will cause even more people to not get it from now on.”

Rebecca Zidik, a senior communication major, said, “I never got the shot because my mom always said we didn’t need it. We were healthy and had good immune systems growing up because of our sleep patterns, etc. So we rarely got sick. I just kept following that over the years and never got one. I think the shot is getting less effective because the disease is changing, becoming more resistant to the vaccine.”

blur fluBosmans summarized the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MWWR), which was published to inform the public of the vaccine’s reduced effectiveness this season. Regarding the vaccine’s approximate 23 percent effectiveness for ages 18-49, Bosmans said, “It is not unusual for new seasonal flu viruses to appear each year as flu viruses are constantly changing. When viruses change in that way, they are said to be ‘drifted’ viruses. In this seasonal influenza, most of the Influenza A (H3N2) viruses circulating so far this season are different or ‘drifted’ for the H3N2 vaccine virus component.”

The flu vaccine typically fights two A strains, such as H1N1 and H3N2, and one less common B strain. This year’s vaccine proves effective against the B strain; however, H3N2 viruses are the most prevalent strands this season, according to the CDC. H3N2 viruses are linked to more severe illness and mortality, especially since the CDC reported that approximately 70 percent of the H3N2 viruses have been drifted from the vaccine virus. 

The CDC explained that drifted H3N2 viruses that are circulating were not detected until late March 2014, which was after the World Health Organization recommendations had been made for the 2014-15 vaccine composition. According to the CDC, the data on circulating flu viruses is reviewed every February to predict which strands are most likely to appear in the upcoming season for the Northern Hemisphere and then compiled into a vaccine to fight three or four strands. Furthermore, the CDC stated that drifted H3N2 strands were minimal when first uncovered; therefore, the World Health Organization could not have predicted that the drifted strands would circulate and cause such a high rate of illness.

Jaime Myers, a health and physical education professor, said, “When the flu vaccine doesn’t perform as well as we hope, it is disheartening because it makes it that much more challenging to convince people to get vaccinated in the future. However, last year’s vaccine reduced the risk of getting the flu by 61 percent. You can never really know which flu strain will dominate and the vaccine can reduce the severity of the flu even if you do get it, so it’s always a good idea to get the flu vaccine. The vaccine is also free under most insurance plans because it falls under the ‘preventive services’ umbrella of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), so what do you have to lose?”

According to the CDC, all national key indicators were elevated as of late December and about half of the country began experiencing high flu activity, including New Jersey. Bosmans said, “The flu is expected to continue into the coming weeks. The CDC continues to recommend that unvaccinated people get vaccinated. It is important to understand that while some of the viruses spreading this season are different for those in the vaccine, the CDC promotes vaccination, can still provide protection, and help prevent serious flu complications.” 

Sharon Stark, Coordinator of the Forensic Nursing Program and a nursing professor, said, “Additional tips for avoiding the flu and other respiratory infections include frequent hand-washing with soap and water or antibacterial cleansers for at least 20 seconds. Avoid crowded places during cold and flu season; avoid those who are sick or have respiratory infections; stay home from work when you are sick; cover your nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing; do not shake hands, if unavoidable then wash them afterwards; avoid touching your mouth and nose; sanitize areas that are used by more than you such as phones, keyboards, door knobs, gym equipment, etc.; drink ample amounts of fluids, at least 64 ounces a day; eat a healthy diet and more protein rich foods; and get at least seven hours of sleep daily are all good tactics to help prevent catching the flu.”

PHOTOS COURTESY of Kiera Lanni