While the flu vaccine is perhaps the most well-known vaccine, how does it differ from the general types of vaccines, and why is it important to receive it every year?
A Brief History...
To begin learning about the flu vaccine, we should start with its history. The flu vaccine was not the first vaccine ever made (that honor goes to Edward Jenner’s cowpox vaccine around 200 years ago). As pictured to the left, Edward Jenner is shown administering his first vaccine--discovered after he observed his milkmaids' relative immunity to smallpox after being infected by cowpox.
The flu vaccination was first developed in concert with the U.S. Army by researchers Thomas France and Jonas Salk, before it was approved for distribution in 1945.
The Modern-Day Flu Vaccine
Today, the flu vaccine is administered annually in preparation for what many know as “the flu season.” Why describe peak infections of influenza as a season? Well, even though the flu technically exists all year, they circulate the most in fall and winter, which is why it’s key to get your vaccination by the end of October.
And why renew the flu shot every year? The influenza virus evolves very quickly, constantly adapting and rendering previous immunity--from contracting the virus or acquiring a vaccine--ineffective. Thus, scientists need to develop new vaccinations every year in anticipation for a new flu strain.
Seems like an impossible task, doesn’t it? Well, one weapon of science that best crunches down impossible numbers is data collection. Scientists compile data, collected by several organizations year-round, to be analyzed. This process and collaboration helps scientists make decisions to determine and predict the composition of the next flu vaccine. Every year, this process becomes more and more refined, as researchers gather more data and develop more accurate models.
So, why does this matter?
While the influenza is extremely common due to its highly contagious nature, it can lead to serious complications, especially for those with weak immune systems (children, those with preexisting medical conditions or pregnancy).
Even though the flu is nowhere near as deadly as the COVID-19 pandemic has been in the past few years, a flu vaccine can help protect from harmful effects: studies have shown that these vaccinations can reduce the risk of sickness between 40-60%. At minimum, a flu vaccine may help you and your family stay healthy through the holiday season.
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