Flu Vaccinations Rise Sharply in Both Children and Adults

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported last Friday that the number of children and adolescents vaccinated for flu in mid-November was up nearly 7 percentage points over last year at that time and coverage among adults was up 6.4 percentage points, according to Stat . This does not suggest whether more people will be vaccinated overall this winter, or that the previous flu season is changing behavior this winter. The gain could indicate that more people were inspired to get their flu shot sooner this year. The CDC concedes that it is difficult to say for sure what is fueling the increase, but its working theory is that more people are receiving vaccinations because last winter reminded them that flu can be dangerous. The agency estimated that 80,000 Americans in total were killed by the flu last year, and the chief strain was the influenza A virus H3N2, which is associated with seasons of greater severity. The CDC analysis noted that experience from previous flu seasons demonstrates that people continue to get vaccinated through the winter and even into spring, with end-of-season rates in children 19 percentage points higher than the early season rates, and 8 percentage points higher in adults.