Each year flu takes many of us on to cause sickness, loss of technical man hours and sometimes mortality in the older and younger.
The viruses change every year and i am not sure the vaccine remains at pace with change in the shifts or drifts in the viral genetics.
So not many physicians and patients are in favor of this vaccine.
Please share your views.
I remember last year french scientists wrote that 'flu vaccin became less and less effective, but any way vaccination is better than without it.'
Interesting discussion! Looking forward to seeing the expert's views.
There are four lineages of influenza virus (two A, two B) that circulate in the human population, and yes, they change over time - drift (subtle changes) on an annual basis and shift (wholesale gene replacement) sporadically; four times in the last century. There is a global surveillance programme that has run, very successfully, for decades whose purpose is to keep up with this. You can read about this here:
https://www.who.int/influenza/gip-anniversary/en/
Most years, at least one of the 4 virus strains (or 1-3 looking further back in the past) included in the annual vaccine formulation will be changed, to keep up with the evolution of the virus. You can see a comprehensive history of this going back to the 1970s in the link below, that will give you an idea of the scale of effort.
https://www.fludb.org/brc/vaccineRecommend.spg?decorator=influenza
Most years, the vaccine formulation is a pretty good match to the strains of influenza that actually appear in the winter. Occasionally the virus moves faster or in a different direction and there's a mismatch between what's out there and what's in the vaccine that causes problems. When this does happen, it hits the newspaper/web headlines. Most years, it doesn't, because the vaccine does a good job.
The vaccine isn't perfect - it doesn't give total protection, especially in the elderly where it's most needed, but it's a LOT better than nothing. The various formulations and types of flu vaccine are also very safe. If you are in an at risk group, or work in a setting where you are likely to be exposed and run the risk of transmitting it to people in the risk groups, you should take it.
Paul
(a career influenza virologist)
Influenza virus change its antigencty from season to season and from local area to other area, so vaccin will be fail to cover all antigenic variation.
Dear Paul
Thanks for this comprehensive referenced version. Grateful. Need to study that though.
On a personal note do u recommend any specific indications for vaccination or should it be for all.
It's also expensive & resource bound to vaccinate everybody
Rrgards
Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that are in the vaccine.
The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. Traditional flu vaccines (called “trivalent” vaccines) are made to protect against three flu viruses; an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus, and an influenza B virus. There are also flu vaccines made to protect against four flu viruses (called “quadrivalent” vaccines). These vaccines protect against the same viruses as the trivalent vaccine and an additional B virus.
Thank you Jule Riarsy
Grateful for your contribution. But should everyone have it or particular population like young and old to have these shots?
The viral strain last for few months and by the time it has drift/shift, i guess the vaccine cover would be over or dies it last?
Thanks in advance
Regards
There are many kinds of flue viruses. The vaccines are not affective against all of these types.
Influenza virus strains are constantly changing, so a new vaccine is made each year. Scientists are preparing the vaccine before the start of the flu season by predicting influenza strains that are likely to be the most common next season. According to scientists, the flu season begins or ends is unexpected, so scientists recommend that people get the vaccine in the first Autumn, preferably by the end of October. The peak influenza activity is usually in January or February.
Antibody titers can be increased by using the right prebiotic.
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