Question

The flu infects millions of people in the US every year and kills about 50,000 people every year. What do you think about getting the flu vaccine every year?

Answer 1

Flu infections caused by the members of Influenza virus (RNA virus) have high mutation rates as the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase involved in virus replication lacks proofreading activity. This incorporates novel mutations in surface glycoproteins such as hemagglutinin (HA) and other virus proteins. These new mutations get positively selected as the pre-existing antibodies cannot recognise these altered proteins anymore. Hence, comes the need for new versions of flu vaccines every year.

The seasonal flu vaccines have been found to be safe and clinically accepted. The only comlication that are found to arise due to these vaccinations are pain, redness and swelling at the site of injection.

The flu-severity is highest in younger and elderly age groups. Even if we do not belong to that age group, we must get vaccinated in order to prevent the chance of getting infected and spread the virus to the individuals of those age groups.

Thus, due to the effectiveness, lower-risk factor of the vaccination and overall health benefits of the community,we must get seasonally vaccinated for flu.