Can the flu vaccine provide protection even if the flu vaccine is not a “good” match?
Yes, antibodies made in response to vaccination with one flu virus can sometimes provide protection against different but related flu viruses. A less than ideal match may result in reduced vaccine effectiveness against the flu virus that is different from what is in the flu vaccine, but it can still provide some protection against flu illness.
In addition, it’s important to remember that the flu vaccine contains three or four flu viruses (depending on the type of vaccine you receive) so that even when there is a less than ideal match or lower effectiveness against one virus, the flu vaccine may protect against the other flu viruses.
For these reasons, even during seasons when there is a less than ideal match, CDC continues to recommend flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older. Vaccination is particularly important for people at high risk for serious flu complications, and their close contacts.
Hopefully a universal flu vaccine will become available. Current studies are underway. www.scientificamerican.com/article/scientists-move-closer-to-a-universal-flu-vaccine/
Maybe we can have a Valentine’s Day every month – then we can just keep spending on made up holidays all year long! Won’t that be good for the rich-publican’s economy? If all the little people did their part and spent their pay check on CEO’s who pay less taxes?
martens about 6 years ago
From the CDC web site:
Can the flu vaccine provide protection even if the flu vaccine is not a “good” match?
Yes, antibodies made in response to vaccination with one flu virus can sometimes provide protection against different but related flu viruses. A less than ideal match may result in reduced vaccine effectiveness against the flu virus that is different from what is in the flu vaccine, but it can still provide some protection against flu illness.
In addition, it’s important to remember that the flu vaccine contains three or four flu viruses (depending on the type of vaccine you receive) so that even when there is a less than ideal match or lower effectiveness against one virus, the flu vaccine may protect against the other flu viruses.
For these reasons, even during seasons when there is a less than ideal match, CDC continues to recommend flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older. Vaccination is particularly important for people at high risk for serious flu complications, and their close contacts.
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season-2017-2018.htm
ahab about 6 years ago
Hopefully a universal flu vaccine will become available. Current studies are underway. www.scientificamerican.com/article/scientists-move-closer-to-a-universal-flu-vaccine/
retpost about 6 years ago
I hope the Japanese are right: they claim to have a pill that cures the flu in 24 hours.
Mr. Blawt about 6 years ago
Maybe we can have a Valentine’s Day every month – then we can just keep spending on made up holidays all year long! Won’t that be good for the rich-publican’s economy? If all the little people did their part and spent their pay check on CEO’s who pay less taxes?