Flu jab is not a 'waste of time'

“Flu jab given to millions is ‘useless’,” and “Flu jab is a waste of time,” are the irresponsible headlines in The Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail.

While recent research shows that the current seasonal flu vaccine only has 3% protection against the main circulating strain – A(H3N2) – in adults, it can still protect against other strains.

Both papers also ignore the fact that another version of the flu vaccine, in the form of a nasal spray designed for vulnerable children, is also available.

Discouraging parents of vulnerable children from getting vaccinated could increase the risk of serious childhood illnesses and possible hospitalisation.

Why is the flu vaccine not working?

There are many strains of the influenza virus and each one can mutate. It takes time to develop and produce vaccines against them. Global surveillance is used to predict which strains are likely to be circulating the following winter, and in February the World Health Organization (WHO) announces which strains the flu vaccine should cover. Last year, it decided to cover three flu varieties:

• Influenza A (H1N1), also known as “swine flu”
• Influenza A (H3N2)
• Influenza B

In March, the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System detected a new strain of influenza A (H3N2), but this was too late to change the production of the vaccine.

It was also not known whether this particular strain would be the predominant strain this winter, which it has been, and so the vaccine is not effective against it.

How effective is it?

The vaccine is effective against the other strains of influenza, but not the new strain of influenza A (H3N2). The mid-season vaccine effectiveness rate is just 3.4%. Vaccination against this new strain and other possible mutations will be considered at the WHO meeting this February for next winter.

Reactions to the news

Dr Michael Skinner, Reader in Virology, Imperial College London said: “The current type of seasonal influenza vaccine is, at the moment, the best we have. Annually it saves tens of thousands of lives. Unusually, but not uniquely, this year one (H3N2) of the four targeted viruses ‘drifted’ (mutated) in an unanticipated direction after the vaccine was formulated for production, so that the vaccine offers little protection against the drifted H3N2.

“Even so, the vaccine still protects against the other three components (pre- and post-2009 H1N1 and B). And it does at least stop the virus drifting back along the path that had been predicted. To describe it as ‘useless’ would be misguided.”

Should you still get the jab?

The other strains can still cause infection so the vaccine is still recommended for pregnant women, people aged over 65 and those with any of the following conditions:

• chronic (long-term) respiratory disease, such as asthma (that requires inhaled or tablet steroid treatment or has led to hospital admission in the past), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchitis 
• chronic heart disease, such as heart failure 
• chronic kidney disease 
• chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis 
• chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease or motor neurone disease 
• diabetes
• problems with your spleen – for example, sickle cell disease, or if you have had your spleen removed 
• a weakened immune system due to conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or as a result of medication such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy

When to visit your GP

If you are otherwise fit and healthy, there is usually no need to visit your GP if you have flu-like symptoms.

The best remedy is to rest at home, keep warm and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

You can take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower a high temperature and relieve aches.

If you are in any of the high risk groups listed above then you should visit your GP.

Depending on your circumstances, your GP may recommend a short course of antiviral medication, such as Tamiflu (oseltamivir). 

Antivirals are not used for everyone with flu because this would lead to further mutations in the viruses and drug resistance, making them ineffective.

If you suspect you have the flu it is important to take steps to prevent it spreading; especially to one or more of the vulnerable groups listed above.

Always:

• make sure you wash your hands regularly with soap and water
• clean surfaces such as your keyboard, telephone and door handles regularly to get rid of germs
• use tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
• put used tissues in a bin as soon as possible

Analysis by Bazian. Edited by NHS Choices. Follow Behind the Headlines on Twitter. Join the Healthy Evidence forum.

Links To The Headlines

Flu jab given to millions is ‘useless’. The Daily Telegraph, February 6 2015

Flu jab is a waste of time for 97% of patients: Vaccine developed only a year ago no longer ‘matches’ because the virus has mutated so much. Daily Mail, February 6 2015

Flu vaccine ‘barely effective’ against main viral strain. BBC News, February 5 2015

Useless flu jab blamed for surge in death toll. Daily Express, February 6 2015

Current winter flu jab works in only 3% of cases. ITV News, February 6 2015

Flu vaccine gives only ‘low protection’ in UK this winter, experts warn. The Guardian, February 5 2015

Flu jab given to millions offers almost no protection. The Times, February 6 2015

Flu Jab Found To Work In Just 3% Of Cases. Sky News, February 6 2015

Links To Science

Pebody RG, Warburton F, Ellis J, et al. Low effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccine in preventing laboratory-confirmed influenza in primary care in the United Kingdom: 2014/15 mid-season results. Eurosurveillance. Published online February 5 2014