Flu vaccine falls short, but helps

WASHINGTON, D.C. (NBC News) – Experts say this year’s flu vaccine can lessen the severity of the flu, but it’s not working well to prevent flu cases.

New data from the Centers for Disease Control places this year’s vaccine’s overall efficacy at 36-percent, and just 25-percent effective against this year’s dominant flu strain, H3N2.

Also, the vaccine this year appears to prevent illness in young children by more than half, 59-percent.

On Capitol Hill Thursday a group of senators called for a surge in vaccine research funding.

“We’re calling for a $200 million annual investment over the next five years at the National Institutes of Health to develop a universal flu vaccine,” said Senator Ed Markey.

Flu season generally lasts into March.

Read more: http://nbcnews.to/2HfGA54

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