Flu shot not as effective as we’ve been told
Jan 4, 2013, 1:09 PM | Updated: Jan 7, 2013, 6:08 am
Kelley tells KIRO Radio the development of a fundamentally better vaccine is in the early stages, adding "we have a lot of ground to cover before we see one of these vaccines on the market." (AP Photo/File)
(AP Photo/File)
University researchers claim the annual flu shot is not as effective as we’ve been led to believe.
A 3-year study at the University of Minnesota contradicts the conventional wisdom that the flu vaccine is 70 to 90 percent effective.
“When it works 59 percent of the time in healthy young adults, there’s obviously room for improvement there,” said Nicholas Kelley at the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy.
Researchers reviewed more than 12,000 studies dating back to the 1930s.
Kelley says the misconception about the effectiveness of the flu shot is blocking efforts to create a more effective vaccine, which could cost as much as $1 billion.
“Why would you innovate, if it works that well?”
Kelley tells KIRO Radio the development of a fundamentally better vaccine is in the early stages, adding “we have a lot of ground to cover before we see one of these vaccines on the market.”
So far, the flu has killed three people in Washington this season.
