Flu vaccine cuts hospitalization risk by 35% in Southern Hemisphere, CDC study finds

A CDC study found that this year's flu vaccine reduced hospitalization risk in the Southern Hemisphere by 35%. This effectiveness is lower than the previous season's vaccine, which cut hospitalizations by 50%. The study included data from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The vaccine was nearly 59% effective for individuals with underlying health conditions. Vaccination rates in South America remain below pre-COVID-19 levels, despite efforts to prioritize vulnerable groups. The CDC continues to recommend flu shots for everyone over six months old, ideally before the end of October.