Influenza inoculations are lower among children and adults than last year, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“Unfortunately, so far, flu vaccination coverage is lower among children and adults this year compared to the same time last year,” the CDC said.
Only 22% of adults received the flu vaccine, compared to 25.2% last year.
As of November 4, 32.6% of children received the most recent flu vaccine, down from 36.5%.
During the 2022-2023 flu season, 57.4% of children were inoculated.
Among pregnant women, 29% received the influenza vaccine, down from 29.8% as of October 2022.
“About one-third of Americans report having gotten a flu vaccine so far this season,” the CDC stated. “Adult flu vaccine coverage in the United States has hovered at around 50 percent of the population for years. Historically, most flu vaccination has taken place during the month of October.”
American Faith reported that an analysis published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found the 2022-2023 influenza vaccine was only 48% effective in reducing flu risk.
According to the analysis, the flu vaccine was 53% effective for those aged 6 months to 4 years.
Among those aged 9-17 years old, the vaccine was 38% effective at preventing illness.
