Hyderabad: The flu vaccine of 2014-15 is only 23 per cent effective according to a report by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. As a result, the CDC has urged all physicians to immediately start treatment with antiviral medications, even if the patients are vaccinated. This is because the chances of complications are very high.
With the H1N1 virus spreading in the city, and flu vaccine being touted as the best prevention method, this report comes as a shock. The report clearly states that all hospitalised patients and even outpatients are at high risk of serious complications due to flu symptoms and must be treated as soon as possible to avoid complications.
Dr K. Subhakar, a senior chest physician, said, “Last year, the flu vaccine was 82 per cent effective. This year, the efficacy could be 60 per cent due to various reasons. It could be that the vaccine has not produced the required anti-bodies in the blood. The vaccines are prepared in April and there is a possibility that the strain of the virus has changed. It could also be that the storage was not properly done.”
Meanwhile, the CDC claims that there is a ‘drift variant’ in the virus which makes it different from the virus included in this season’s flu vaccine.
Senior doctors are urging people to go to the hospital immediately if flu-like symptoms high fever, cough, cold, running nose, shivering along with fatigueare persistent for more than 48 hours.
Dr S. Krishna, a general physician, said, “Even if a person is vaccinated, it is important to consult a doctor if flu-like symptoms persist. The medication dosage must be completed and not left halfway.”
