Flu vaccine was almost no help to the elderly

By Morning Express with Robin Meade staff

updated 5:07 AM EST, Fri February 22, 2013

NEED TO KNOW

Effective in only 9% of cases in people over 65
Results from CDC's 'Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report'

This year's flu vaccine practically didn't work at all for people over 65 according to the CDC.

It was effective in just 9% of those cases.

Government researchers say rates of hospitalization and death for the most common strain of flu this year were some of the highest ever seen. Doctors still don't know why.

Despite those findings the flu shot is still recommended. The vaccine did help more than half of those under 65.

MORE: Fighting the flu

Morning Express with Robin Meade airs Monday through Friday at 6am ET on HLN. Like the show on Facebook, follow on Twitter: @MorningExp.

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