CDC Reports on the Effectiveness of 2018 Influenza Vaccine

According to the FluNearYou.org website, CDCs report low influenza activity across the country in the past seven days, but that does not mean that people in the triangle are not seized.

There were five cases at WakeMed Hospital and various urgent care were also examined.

Each year, the CDC conducts studies to determine how well the vaccine protects people from influenza. While we are still at the beginning of the season and the effectiveness may vary, the CDC has stated that recent studies have shown that the vaccine reduces the risk of influenza by 40-60%.

"It's still a good start percentage," says Monica Williams, Med Mart Spring Nurse Practitioner. "We are looking for anything above 50%, which has proven effective over the years."

Health officials are particularly concerned this year. The flu is hitting hard in other parts of the world.

Globally, the virus begins in Australia, where flu usually hits hard.

But influenza activity in the United States has remained low, at least for now.

"It sounds pretty good, but that can say that a generalized flu epidemic will not manifest itself and could potentially affect us in the United States," Williams said.

The CDC has recommended the following high-risk individuals to be vaccinated against influenza:

• Anyone over 50
• Children aged 6 months to 2 years
• Residents of retirement homes or other long-term care facilities
• Caregivers of high-risk people also need immunization
• Women who will be more than three months pregnant during the flu season
• Children of any age on extended treatment with aspirin
• Anyone suffering from chronic diseases such as heart or lung disorders, including asthma, diabetes, kidney disease or weakened immune system