Category FAQs Search : Influenza
Question: How effective are influenza vaccines in preventing influenza illness?
Answer: Extensive research has shown the influenza vaccine is effective.
The effectiveness of the vaccine depends on:
- the age and health of the person receiving it
- the match between the vaccine influenza strains and influenza strains circulating in the community.
In young children and healthy adults aged less than 65 years who have received influenza vaccination, the likelihood of getting influenza is reduced by around 50–60%. This figure varies from year to year.
People with an underlying medical condition and elderly people may not respond as well to the influenza vaccine, so their level of protection from the vaccine may be lower. The vaccine does reduce the risk of influenza-associated pneumonia and hospitalisations. Information about ‘enhanced’ influenza vaccines that are available for older people can be found in the following question.
(Source: NCIRS, 03 Dec 2024)
Source Link: https://ncirs.org.au/influenza/influenza-vaccines-frequently-asked-questions-faqs?goto=faq_4