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A doctor vaccinates a patient as part of the start of the seasonal influenza vaccination campaign in Nice, France October 24, 2018. REUTERS / Eric Gaillard (Eric Gaillard / Reuters)
Fewer than 4 out of 10 adults in the United States got flu shots last winter, the lowest rate in seven seasons and one reason reason 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 influenza 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.
Data released The deadly respiratory virus. Some data about deaths and hospitalization were published last month The CDC estimates that:
* 49 million people were sickened by flu, roughly the combined population of Texas and Florida.
* 960,000 people were hospitalized, more than the total number of staffed hospital beds in the United States.
* 79,000 people died, the average number of people waiting for the Superbowl. The previous high, which is based on analyzes, was 56,000 deaths.
Last winter's flu season was so devastating for several reasons. It was dominated by an especially fierce virus strain. Seasons where H3N2 is dominantly typically results in the most complications, especially for the young and the old, say experts. Vaccines are also less effective against H3N2. The virus changes rapidly, requiring more updates to the seasonal vaccine, and making it that much better for the body's immune system to generate a good response.
Alicia Fry, Chief of Epidemiology and Prevention in CDC's Influenza Division, said the fall in vaccine coverage. Flu vaccine, while far from perfect, severe illness and serious complications, such as hospitalization and admission to intensive care.
Schaffner and CDC officials said the drop in vaccine coverage could be related to Australia. Fluency in the hemisphere can often predict what Americans might expect.
"I think that's really a lot of people getting vaccinated," said Schaffner, who also noted that the early data was incorrect.
It's too early to be sure that people are "still carrying that around in minds," he said.
It's too early to predict what it will be. Flu activity is low, but there has already been one child death reported. Last season, flu killed 183 years ago, pediatric deaths 14 years ago.
This year, CDC officials are hoping to boost their coverage by helping doctors and nurses make a strong case for their patients for a flu shot. A strong recommendation from a clinician makes a huge difference in whether someone gets the influenza vaccine.
Last season, people may have thought it was not worth getting the vaccine, said Cindy Weinbaum, deputy director of CDC's immunization services division.
This year, the CDC has created new tools for clinicians, including videos, on a strong flu vaccine recommendation, she said. That includes identifying and addressing any questions or concerns in plain and understandable language.
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