Flu Vaccine Useless This Year? CDC Warns That Common Flu Strain Has Mutated

The Flu Vaccine usually does it’s job. If it doesn’t stop you from getting the flu, it at least weakens the side effects of the sometimes deadly virus. However, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is warning that a commons strain of the influenza virus has mutated. That mutation might make this year’s vaccine less effective against the virus.

This year most flu sufferers have contracted the H3N2 strain of the virus. Months ago that strain was being fought against with a successful vaccination. However, the strain recently mutated. While the vaccination might protect some patients against the flu, others are now susceptible to the mutated strain of H3N2.

The flu is not a cut and dry virus, every single year we are faced with a changed strain. That is why doctors and health agencies recommend receiving a new flu shot every single year. Even if the vaccination is not 100% effective against the current strain, it at least helps protect participants against some effects of other strains.

Flu.gov explains that even when the right strain is not targeted, the vaccination could reduce the chances of getting severe symptoms if the strain is contracted. That is why it is still recommend that you receive the current flu vaccination, even if it is not guaranteed to be 100% effective.

The flu shot is still recommended for anyone over six months of age.

If you do contract the Flu, the CDC is recommending that you talk to your doctor about the antiviral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza.

December through January is considered flu season, although you can contract the virus outside of that timeframe.

Just to re-emphasize; I created the title in this article because a lot of people are now asking the question posed by this article. The flu vaccine is NOT useless this year, even if it doesn’t fully protect you, it can still help lessen the effects of the flu, and possibly protect against other strains of the virus.

Flu Vaccine Useless This Year? CDC Warns That Common Flu Strain Has Mutated