Abilene nurse reports reduced effectiveness of flu shots amid surge in cases

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) –The Big Country is feeling more than just the chill of winter. As seasonal illnesses take hold, a nurse in Abilene has raised concerns that this year’s flu shot may not be as effective as hoped.

Family Nurse Practitioner Elaine Thomas at My Primary Care of Abilene shared medical professionals are seeing an increase in illnesses, specifically Influenza A.

“All the statistics, everything we’re seeing, all the tests we’re running… about 99% flu A,” Thomas shared. To our urgent care in E.R., we see about 60 to 70 a day, and I think they said about 60% are flu A.” Thomas said.

However, Thomas added the vaccine may not be as effective against the virus this year.

“The people who create the vaccines are trying their best guess of the three most popular strains of that virus. Sometimes, their guess is right, and sometimes, their guess is not. They do it based on the strains they see, I think, in Australia. As it moves across the planet, they’re like, okay, this is what they were suffering from. We’re going to give you a vaccine based on that. Sometimes they get it right, and sometimes they don’t.” Thomas said.

Experts say that if you contract the flu, there are a few things to help combat the sickness:

• Take Tylenol or Ibuprofen for aches and pains brought on by the fever
• Take vitamin C
• Wash hands regularly
• Clean surfaces with a disinfectant
• Avoid unnecessary physical contact