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A MINUTE OF HEALTH WITH CDC
A Shot in the Dark
Within-Season Estimate of the Effectiveness of Trivalent Inactivated
Influenza Vaccine — Marshfield, Wisconsin, 2007–08 Influenza Season
May 1, 2008

This program is presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC — safer, healthier
people.

You got your flu vaccine, and now you have the flu. So who do you blame? Your doctor?
The shot? Actually, blame that pesky bug that keeps changing its stripes. Unlike other
vaccines, the composition of the influenza vaccination changes every year, based on
researchers’ best guess as to the flu strains most likely to be in circulation the following
season. Sometimes, an unexpected strain makes its way past the vaccine and causes an
outbreak. Despite this flaw, an annual shot is still the best way to avoid a serious case of
the flu. So don’t forgo a shot just because it’s not perfect. Instead, get vaccinated and
improve your odds of a healthy year.

Thank you for joining us on A Minute of Health with CDC.

For the most accurate health information, visit www.cdc.gov or call 1-800-CDC-INFO, 24/7.