A new study published inthe journal Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine has found that the flu shot fro kids has been ineffective over the last two years. According to the research, the vaccination did not reduce reduce the number of child hospitalizations or doctor’s visits linked to the flu.

THe study is one of a number of re3cent studies that have questioned the effectiveness of the flu shot. A key problem is getting the right flu virus strain into the shot, which is developed well before the flu season. Over the last two seasons the shot has been a poor match for the flu virus.

The study gain brings into question the CDc recommendation in 2006 that all children 6 months of age or older should receive annual flu shots.

In the study, researchers from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, N.Y., looked at about 400 children aged five and younger who developed flu in the 2003-2004 or 2004-2005 flu seasons. The estimated flu effectiveness ranged from just 7%-52% for children age 6-to-59 months. A poor rate, specially given the risks associated with any vaccination for young children.

Source
Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine