Flu shot injuries are one of the most common claims made in the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Despite this fact, we hear on the television in an onslaught of advertising that “it is time to get your flu shot”. The truth is, in the past couple of years, researchers have found that the flu vaccine can provide only moderate protection against that particular year’s flu. Flu viruses are constantly mutating in order to survive. That’s why a new flu vaccine is manufactured every year, trying to anticipate which virus strain will be hitting us.
For example, according to the CDC, “the 2012-2013 seasonal flu vaccine protects against three influenza viruses—one influenza A (H3N2) virus, one influenza A (H1N1) virus and one influenza B virus. The H1N1 virus the 2012-2013 seasonal flu vaccine protects against is the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus because scientists expect to continue to see this virus circulate in the United States.” Historically, researchers found, the protection provided by the flu vaccine is greatly reduced or was even absent in some seasons.
So, if the vaccine is only modestly effective, and flu shot injuries are commonly seen claims in the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, is it worth receiving the shot? If you have questions about whether you may have received a flu shot injury, please contact a vaccine injury lawyer today.