Who Should Get Vaccinated?
Each year the seasonal influenza vaccine is recommended for millions of people in the United States. The CDC recommends that everyone six months and older get vaccinated. However, they emphasize vaccination for people who are at high risk of developing serious complications from influenza. This includes adults 65 years and older, children under 5 years old (but especially under 2 years), pregnant women, and people with certain medical conditions like asthma, heart disease, and diabetes. Individuals who live with or care for high-risk people are also encouraged to receive the flu shot. Getting vaccinated can help protect vulnerable groups who are more likely to become severely ill if infected.
How Effective are Flu Vaccines?
The effectiveness of Seasonal Influenza Vaccines can vary depending on the year. On average, current flu vaccines reduce the risk of needing medical care due to the flu by 40-60% among the overall population. However, effectiveness may be higher or lower based on factors like the similarity between the vaccine virus and circulating virus strains. In years where the vaccine is an exact match for the predominant strain, effectiveness can be upwards of 60%. But if there is a mismatch, protection could drop below 30%. Experts aim to match the vaccine viruses as closely as possible to anticipated strains each season, but predicting which strains will dominate the following winter is difficult. Nevertheless, vaccination offers substantial protection against influenza even in non-ideal years.
Why do We Need Annual Flu Shots?
Influenza viruses are constantly evolving, requiring the composition of flu vaccines to be reviewed and updated annually. Multiple strains of the flu can cause significant regional outbreaks from one season to the next, and they may differ from place to place during the same season. Immunity from vaccination or a previous flu infection fades over time, typically within a year. Therefore, even if someone received a flu shot last season, they could still be at risk of infection if unvaccinated for the current season. Getting a new vaccination each autumn provides the body with renewed protection when flu viruses begin circulating at higher levels during winter months. Annual influenza vaccination is currently the best strategy to minimize illness, doctor visits, hospitalizations and deaths from the unpredictable and continually changing influenza virus.
How do Flu Vaccines Work?
There are several influenza vaccine options approved for use in the United States, but they all work to stimulate the immune system and prepare the body to fight off infection from influenza viruses. The three main types currently available are:
- Inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) or "flu shot": Contains killed virus particles. A new shot is needed every season. Provides protection within 2 weeks of vaccination and typically lasts 6-12 months.
- Recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV): Uses genetic engineering technology and contains no live influenza virus particles. Same duration of protection as IIV.
- Live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV): Contains weakened live viruses that do not cause severe symptoms. Administered as a nasal spray. Usually provides better protection for young children than shots.
All authorized influenza vaccines in the U.S. are held to safety standards set by the Food and Drug Administration. They have been shown in extensive clinical trials and monitoring to produce a strong immune response with a good safety profile. While prevention is not 100%, vaccination remains the most effective method for reducing influenza disease and its complications each year.
Common Myths and Misconceptions
There are several myths that persist despite scientific evidence showing influenza vaccines are safe and effective. It's important to address misinformation with facts:
1. The flu shot can give you the flu - Inactivated influenza vaccines containing killed viruses cannot cause influenza illness. Side effects are typically mild like soreness at the injection site.
2. Natural infection is better than vaccination - Getting sick from the flu provides less robust and shorter-lived immunity than vaccination. Flu illness also risks serious complications while vaccination does not.
3. Only elderly people need flu shots - While older adults are more vulnerable, influenza poses dangers across all ages. Vaccination helps prevent spread to high-risk groups as well.
4. Vaccine strains won't match circulating viruses - Studies show substantial cross-protection even in mismatched seasons due to overlapping antigenic properties. Predicting strains is imperfect, not ineffective.
5. It's just a mild respiratory virus - Influenza kills thousands each year in the U.S. alone. Vaccination protects against severe outcomes beyond what statistics may suggest.
Overcoming doubts through factual information is important for increasing influenza vaccine uptake and reducing preventable illness, medical visits, and loss of life from seasonal flu. Public trust in vaccination saves lives.
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About Author:
Ravina Pandya, Content Writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravina-pandya-1a3984191)
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