The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed on February 24, 2016 that so far this year, the nation has witnessed the maximum effectiveness of vaccination for flu compared with last few years effectiveness rate. The CDC stated that till now, the vaccination has reduced the chances of getting influenza by 59%.

"This means that getting a flu vaccine this season reduced the risk of having to go to the doctor because of flu by nearly 60 percent. It's good news and underscores the importance and the benefit of both annual and ongoing vaccination efforts this season," said Dr. Joseph Bresee from the CDC.

Normally, young and elderly are the biggest target of flu. In the United States, every year, the number of deaths that can be blamed on flu varies from 4,000 to 5,000. Every year, the flu vaccination is recommended for everyone by medical experts.

However, despite CDC’s recommendations, approximately 50% of Americans take flu vaccination. Due to high rate of mutation of flu viruses, the vaccination is deemed to be among the least effective vaccinations.

In 2015, the effectiveness of vaccination was only 23%, and in 2014, the mutation of the most common viruses occurred even before the commencement of vaccination. The vaccination given for flu is developed to provide protection against three or four strains of flu. Due to high mutation rate, a new flu vaccination has to be developed every year and it requires a time of several months to formulate this vaccine.

The vaccination advisers were informed by CDC experts that this year, the vaccination was 51% successful in protection against H1N1 viruses, while the effectiveness against influenza B viruses was 76%. The effectiveness of the vaccination on H3N2 flu is yet to be determined, since several cases of this flu have been reported.