This year’s flu vaccine has an effectiveness of 59%, according to estimates announced by the CDC. The figure was announced at a recent meeting of the CDC’s Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) in Atlanta, GA.
Since the CDC began estimating vaccine effectiveness in 2004-2005, records show the lowest level of effectiveness was for that season (10%), with the highest (60%) produced for the 2010-2011 season. Last season (2014-2015), the vaccine was only 23% effective.
This season’s preliminary 59% estimated vaccine effectiveness breaks down into more specific estimates for each of the following strains: