Social media users slammed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention after the federal agency shared a post recommending Americans wear a mask to help protect themselves against catching the flu. “The best way to reduce your risk from seasonal flu is to get a flu vaccine but preventive actions like taking steps for cleaner air or wearing a mask are two additional ways you can protect yourself and others this fall,” the CDC said. “Ugh go away,” responded X user @lovelycoconut .
“We are not wearing masks in big 2024,” said @NewBootScoobin . “P**s off.” A third user tried to get the attention of the platform’s Community Notes contributors, who work to provide context on “potentially misleading posts.
” And, another hit at the effectiveness of this year’s flu shot , citing a recent article in USA Today that detailed research finding this season’s trivalent influenza vaccine reduced the risk for hospitalization by 34 percent . The report cited a Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health associate professor who said experts typically expect that number to be around 50 percent. February data had found vaccines from last season had been 42 percent effective .
“It’s a little bit disappointing,” Dr Kawsar Talaat said . “This is on the lower end of what would be expected but not outside the range.” Dr Jeremy Faust from Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital pointed out that the figure is an average in an op-ed in The New York Times last w.