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Flu shot update#

In 2020–2021, this is one known as the Phuket strain.

an influenza B virus known as the Washington strainĪ person can also get a quadrivalent, or four-component, vaccine that protects against an additional influenza B virus.

the influenza A virus H3N2, also known as the Hong Kong strain.

the influenza A virus H1N1, also known as the Guangdong-Maonan strain.

The influenza viruses contained in the trivalent 2020–2021 flu vaccine are: The specific viruses in an annual shot depend on which are likely to circulate during that year’s flu season. This means that they protect against three viruses: two influenza A viruses, H1N1 and H3N2, and one influenza B virus. Traditional flu shots are trivalent, or three-component, vaccines. The body remembers, or stores, their appearance, so that it can quickly recognize any live versions of these viruses and create antibodies to fight them as well. The presence of these inactive viruses triggers the body’s natural defense mechanism - the immune system - which produces antibodies to fight these viruses.

The nasal spray contains live viruses, but they are weakened, or attenuated, so that they, too, cannot cause the flu. In the shot, these viruses are inactivated, or dead, so they cannot cause the flu. Many studies over the years have shown that flu vaccines are safe and effective, reducing flu cases and related hospitalizations.īelow, learn about seven ingredients in flu shots and the function of each: Influenza virusesįlu vaccines contain tiny amounts of the viruses that the vaccine protects against. The purpose of each ingredient is either to make the vaccine effective or ensure that it is safe. Many vaccines for the flu and other viral infections contain similar ingredients. Share on Pinterest Image credit: lechatnoir/Getty Images

This article looks at the various ingredients that flu shots contain, their function, and the safety of the vaccines. In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, reducing the spread of respiratory illnesses, including the flu, is more important than ever. Nasal spray vaccines are approved for people aged 2–49 only.

A nasal spray: In this case, it contains live viruses that have been weakened, and are therefore not harmful.

An injection: In this case, it usually contains tiny amounts of deactivated, and therefore not harmful, flu viruses.

The CDC confirm that getting the vaccine is the best way to avoid getting the flu and spreading it to other people.ĭifferent flu vaccines have slightly different ingredients. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that everyone 6 months of age and older, with a few exceptions, have a flu vaccine every year.

Flu shot update#

To ensure the flu vaccine remains effective, researchers and manufacturers work together to update the vaccine every year. The viruses that cause the flu, known as influenza viruses, are constantly changing. The specific ingredients vary slightly among vaccines. You can make an appointment online or call your physician’s office.Flu shots contain various ingredients that together ensure that the vaccine is safe and effective.

Cauwels says you can even get your COVID-19 vaccine at the same time you get your flu shot. “What we’ve seen is we’re already starting to see local cases of the flu, there’s not many yet, but there’s enough of them that it’s time to get out there and start getting your flu shot and making sure you’re immunized as we go through the winter season,” Cauwels said.ĭr. That’s why he’s recommending you make an appointment to get your flu shot now. “There’s a possibility that all those people that didn’t get the flu last year, are then going to be less immune to getting it again this year and we actually see more cases than we have in the past, and that’s our biggest concern, that if we don’t do a good job of immunizing folks, we could have more people in the flu on top of COVID,” Cauwels said.

He says last year’s flu season was almost non-existent, but that could be different this year. So far this season, about 31% of patients have gotten the shot. Cauwels says normally Sanford Health has about 50% of patients vaccinated against the flu. Sanford Health: 2,000+ kids ages 5-11 receive first COVID-19 vaccine dose, 5,000 more signed up for next 5 daysĭr.