Flu Jab Successful For One In Three Adults, Research Shows | HuffPost Life

Flu Jab 'Effective For One In Three Adults'

By Scott D'Arcy, Press Association— PA

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The flu jab proved effective for just one in three adults who received it last winter, Public Health England (PHE) has said.

And the vaccine for children under the age of 18 offered a similar level of protection, at 35%, against strains of influenza A.

The success rate was better than first thought, with PHE warning at the time that the jab was only 3% effective, but it is still lower than typical past effectiveness of 50%.

Flu, along with cold weather, was said to have led to the number of deaths over the winter being up to a third higher than in previous years but officials said the vaccine remained "the best protection" against the virus.

Professor Paul Cosford, PHE's director for health protection and medical director, said: "In recent years, we have typically seen around 50% (ranging from 25 to 70%) effectiveness for the flu vaccine in the UK, and there has generally been a good match between the strains of flu in the vaccine and those that subsequently circulate. However, last year we saw a slightly lower vaccine effectiveness than usual.

"Whilst it's not possible to fully predict the strains that will circulate in any given season, flu vaccination remains the best protection we have against an unpredictable virus which can cause severe illness and deaths each year among at-risk group.

"These include older people, pregnant women and those with a health condition, even one that is well managed."

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The study showed the child's jab had 100% effectiveness against influenza B, while the adult vaccines were 29.3% and 46.3% successful against A and B strains respectively.

PHE said in February the problem was caused by a "mismatch" between the A(H3N2) influenza strain used to make the vaccine and the main A(H3N2) strain that had been spreading around the UK.

But in its final report the body put the rise of efficacy of the jab down to "a shift in the dominant circulating strains" as the season continued.

Help For Flu Symptoms

Neti Pot(01 of33)

How it helps: The saline solution used inside can help clean out the mucous attached to the cilia in your nose. Mmmmm. (credit:nullplus via Getty Images)

Chicken Soup(02 of33)

How it helps: According to the Mayo Clinic, chicken soup could help by speeding up the the movement of mucous, limiting how much time viruses spend in the nose. (credit:Gwyn Photography via Getty Images)

Rehydration Salts(03 of33)

How they help: If someone is severely dehydrated — for example, if they've been vomiting or have diarrhea — these salts (readily available at drugstores in various forms) can help. (credit:Andy Crawford via Getty Images)

Vitamin C(04 of33)

How it helps: This is actually something you should take before you get a cold, according to Everyday Health, because that's when it might be able to prevent a cold. (credit:Siraphol via Getty Images)

Zinc(05 of33)

How it helps: According to the U.S. Department of Health, taking zinc orally can help shorten your cold, but be sure to take it within 24 hours of symptoms showing. (credit:GIPhotoStock GIPhotoStock via Getty Images)

Echinacea(06 of33)

How it helps: Although there's a fair amount of debate on echinacea's helpfulness, some studies have shown taking the herb can reduce the length of a cold and potentially boost the immune system. (credit:AlexRaths via Getty Images)

Garlic(07 of33)

How it helps: Garlic has a multitude of immune boosting and anti-viral properties that can help you feel better faster. Mercola.com recommends crushing a garlic clove with a spoon and taking it, or adding it to a vegetable juicer — this help release the helpful alliinase enzyme. (credit:Robert Daly via Getty Images)

Ginger(08 of33)

How it works: Ginger can work as an antihistamine and a decongestant, according to Whole Living — put some slices of ginger in hot water with honey, let it simmer for 20 minutes and drink that healing tea. (credit:maceofoto via Getty Images)

Cayenne Peppers(09 of33)

How it helps: By being burning hot! Literally, the spiciness helps you breathe more freely by thinning out the mucous in your nasal passages. (credit:Lisovskaya via Getty Images)

Hand Sanitizer(10 of33)

How it helps: A handy thing to keep around even if you're not sick (because other people are!), this will help keep your hands germ-free. (credit:Patrick Foto via Getty Images)

Eucalyptus Oil(11 of33)

How it helps: Add some eucalyptus oil to your humidifier and it will help you breathe easier, cleaning the mucous from your nasal linings and hopefully getting rid of some of that phlegm, notes The Health Site. (credit:Pat_Hastings via Getty Images)

NEXT: Is It A Cold Or The Flu?(12 of33)

Fever(13 of33)

Flu symptom?: Yes: high fever of 102°F (39°C) to 104°F (40°C), lasts three to four daysCold symptom?: Rarely (credit:kiatipol via Getty Images)

Headache(14 of33)

Flu symptom?: Yes, can be severeCold symptom?: Rarely (credit:Colin Hawkins via Getty Images)

Runny, Stuffy Nose(15 of33)

Flu symptom?: YesCold symptom?: Yes (credit:kristian sekulic via Getty Images)

Aches And Pains(16 of33)

Flu symptom?: Yes, often severeCold symptom?: Sometimes, often mild (credit:milla1974 via Getty Images)

Tired And Weak(17 of33)

Flu symptom?: Yes, can last for two to three weeksCold symptom?: Sometimes, often mild (credit:Paul Bradbury via Getty Images)

Extreme Fatigue(18 of33)

Flu symptom?: Yes, one of the first symptomsCold symptom?: No (credit:Tara Moore via Getty Images)

Sneezing(19 of33)

Flu symptom?: OccasionallyCold symptom?: Yes (credit:Trevor Williams via Getty Images)

Sore Throat(20 of33)

Flu symptom?: YesCold symptom?: Yes (credit:ajijchan via Getty Images)

Coughing(21 of33)

Flu symptom?: Yes, can be severeCold symptom?: Sometimes, usually mild (credit:BananaStock via Getty Images)

NEXT: Top Foods For Your Immune System(22 of33)

Good Old Chicken Noodle Soup (23 of33)

Grandma was right -- nothing beats chicken soup for fending off sniffles. Not only does it provide the fluids needed to help fight off viruses, it's a powerful mucus stimulant so it helps clear nasal congestion as well as thin mucus. It's also thought to have a mild anti-inflammatory effect than can help ease cold symptoms. Keep some organic chicken stock on hand, because studies have found that even commercial soup is as effective as homemade. (credit:Shutterstock)

Healers With Flavour (24 of33)

If you want to punch up the healing power of your chicken soup - or any other dish -- add plenty of garlic and onions. When combined, these flavorful healers contain numerous antiseptic and immunity boosting compounds. As an added plus, garlic helps to open clogged sinuses. (credit:Shutterstock)

Shroom It Away (25 of33)

No herbal medicine cabinet should be without mushrooms. They increase the production of cytokines, which are cells that help fight off infection. They also contain polysaccharides, which are compounds that support the immune system. The most potent cold- and flu-fighting 'shrooms are shitake, maitake and reishi. (credit:Shutterstock)

Keep The Citrus (26 of33)

Citrus fruits contain hefty doses of powerhouse vitamin C. Studies have found that this antioxidant can reduce cold symptoms by 23 percent, and all that's needed is just one to eight grams (1,000 to 8,000 milligrams) to do the trick. Besides citrus fruits, other foods that have high amounts of vitamin C include papaya, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, tomatoes, broccoli, brussel sprouts and red bell peppers. (credit:Shutterstock)

Why Yogurt Works (27 of33)

Studies have shown that eating a cup of low-fat yogurt each day can reduce your susceptibility to colds by 25 per cent. The beneficial bacteria is Lactobacillus reuteri which has been found to block the replication of viruses that invade the body when we get sick. Not all brands have that particular bacteria, so check labels and be sure to go organic. (credit:Shutterstock)

Immune-Boosting Supplements (28 of33)

While yogurt is a great source of probiotics, some have more than others and we can really benefit by taking an additional supplement. Other immune-booster "musts" are vitamin D and Omega 3 fatty acid. (credit:Shutterstock)

Sipping Tea (29 of33)

Hot tea is soothing and a great home remedy, helping to thin mucus and ensure proper hydration. For added health benefit, sip green or black tea -- both are filled with flavonoids, which are potent antioxidants. (credit:Shutterstock)

Ginger Aid (30 of33)

Ginger comes to the aid when we're sick in some powerful ways. Besides soothing a scratchy throat, it has chemicals called sesquiterpenes that target rhinoviruses - which are the most common family of cold viruses - as well as substances that help suppress coughing. Ginger is also a natural pain and fever reducer and a mild sedative so you'll feel more comfortable and be able to rest easier. Add a couple of tablespoons of shredded gingerroot to your tea, or make ginger tea (it comes in tea bags, but you can also simmer fresh sliced ginger to make a potent brew). (credit:Shutterstock)

Honey, My Immune System Rocks (31 of33)

Honey has numerous medicinal properties and because it coats your throat it is a natural way to soothe sore throats. It also has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties to help fight infections from viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Skip the common clover honey that you'll find in the supermarket as it has the lowest antioxidant level. Look for buckwheat honey, which has the highest. (A note of caution: never give honey to children under one years of age because their immune systems are not developed enough to ward off infantile botulism, which is carried in honey spores.)

Get Peppy (32 of33)

It's ironic that black pepper -- the spice best known for making you sneeze -- can ward off the sniffles. Black peppercorns are high in piperine, a compound known for its anti-fever and pain-relieving qualities. (credit:Shutterstock)

Make It Spicy (33 of33)

Make recipes more flavorful with garlic, thyme, rosemary, sage and oregano -- while spicing things up, you'll also get an added kick of immune-busters, too. (credit:Shutterstock)

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