A recent study conducted across four vaccine effectiveness (VE) networks in the United States provides interim estimates of the effectiveness of the 2023-2024 seasonal influenza vaccine. The findings reveal promising results, indicating the vaccine's efficacy in reducing the risk of influenza-related outpatient visits and hospitalizations across both pediatric and adult age groups.
Karen J. Wernli, PhD, Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson of Medicine (KPSOM) Professor of Health Systems Science, and Sara Y. Tartof, PhD, MPH, KPSOM Assistant Professor of Health Systems Science, coauthored the article, “Interim Estimates of 2023-24 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness – United States,” published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The findings of the study highlight the importance of annual influenza vaccination for individuals of all age groups, especially in regions where influenza is circulating locally. Furthermore, the study indicates that the vaccine's effectiveness against both influenza A and B strains is notable for both children and adults, underscoring the significance of widespread vaccination efforts to protect people from influenza-related illnesses and hospitalizations.
