I study infectious diseases for a living.
Im also a mom of three kids.
These stats make some people wonder,so why bother?
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To choose the composition of each years vaccine, more than100 centers around the globetrack influenza viruses.
The strains chosen are the ones that the data suggest are the most likely to spread and cause illness.
Depending on which vaccine you get, it will also contain one or two strains of influenza B.
Influenza B is generally considered more mild, but it can also lead toserious infectionsand evendeath.
No, not always.
The vaccine viruses themselves can also be difficult to develop.
In fact, the H3N2 portion of the vaccine was modified for the 2018 to 2019 influenza season.
As mentioned, there is constant surveillance taking place for influenza infection.
They also attempt to find out the medical history of sick individuals, including whether they received the vaccine.
It was even more effective in kids: about 59 percent.
Effectiveness against the 2017 to 2018 influenza B viruses was 42 percent.
And it reduces the risk ofhospitalizationandentering intensive caredue to the flu.
In children, the vaccine lowersrisk of deathandICU admissionfor serious influenza-associated complications.
There are a number of people who are particularly vulnerable to the effects and complications associated with influenza.
TheWHOandCDCboth have pregnant women as the top risk group on their vaccine priority list.
And for those folks with underlying chronic conditions, influenza is certainly nasty, and potentially deadly.
For those over 65, it gets worse.
And we know that inflammaging is one of those factors that lead to severe influenza responses.
AsSELF reported previously, there isn’t as much data to support the nasal spray compared to the shot.
So, the shot is still the primary recommendation.
As Tan notes, We have a safe vaccine.
We have an effective vaccine in multiple outcomes.
It doesnt make sense to me.
I have to agreeand itsnot too earlyto get yours now.
