This winter’s flu vaccine has proved almost worthless against the most common strain of the virus in circulation in the UK, it was announced last night.
While the vaccine was prepared correctly for H3N2 flu, the strain has suffered massive "drift" before arriving in the UK, Public Health England said.
A new analysis shows a surge in winter deaths in the last fortnight as well as a small increase in the number of patients needing hospital treatment for flu.
Researchers say the vaccine has proved capable of preventing just 3% of cases of flu – it was expected to be able to prevent 50% of cases.
The analysis involved some 1,314 patients diagnosed by GPs and has been reported in the journal Eurosurveillance.
Health officials said the strain was causing particular problems for the elderly and for care homes.
Dr Richard Pebody, from Public Health England, said: "Throughout the last decade, there has generally been a good match between the strains of flu in the vaccine and those that subsequently circulate, so it’s crucial that these results do not discourage people in at-risk groups from having flu vaccination now, or in the future.
“The current vaccine is still expected to protect against flu A(H1N1)pdm09 and flu B – both of which may yet circulate this season, so anyone in an at-risk group should still get vaccinated if they have not already."
English deputy chief medical officer Dr John Watson said levels of flu were now "generally decreasing."
According to Public Health England, the country has suffered between 15,000 and 16,000 deaths a week in the last fortnight – up to 6,000 a week more than would be expected.
It reports 120 hospital admissions a week from flu.
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