Question:

How effective is the vaccine? – If I have a Flu jab, can I still get Flu? 

About flu
Last updated: 24/08/21
ANSWER BY: Dr Richard Dawood Medical Director
Date Added: 20/07/21

Flu vaccinations are approximately 70-80% effective, provided that there is a good match between the strains used to make the vaccine, and the strains of flu that are going around. There are sophisticated systems in place for monitoring circulating strains of flu around the world, so it is usually possible to predict which strains are most likely to cause trouble, with considerable accuracy. However, in 2020/2021, measures to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2 were also effective in reducing the circulation of many other respiratory viruses including flu viruses. This means this year’s likely predominating flu strains are harder to predict.

In summary, protection is generally excellent against the strains from which the vaccine is made.

It is possible to still catch the flu after a flu jab. No vaccine offers complete protection but the good news is the illness will almost certainly be milder than if you had not been vaccinated and recovery should be quicker. We’d strongly recommend getting the flu vaccine to protect against flu.

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