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Alex Verville
Presenter – The Weather Network
Sunday, November 4, 2018 at 19:19 –
The vaccine against the flu virus has an effectiveness of 50% to 70%. In 2015, its efficiency was even nil. How is it?
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A vaccine requires several months of work and that against the flu is no exception. At the end of the season, the World Health Organization (WHO) badyzes the genetic changes that the virus has undergone during the winter. Thus, she tries to predict what type of flu will hit in the next winter. It's literally a dice throw!
Two scenarios are possible. First, the influenza virus can experience an antigenic shift that corresponds to a slight change in the genetics of the virus. In this case, the vaccine may be more effective. The second possible mutation is the breakage of the genetic material. There, we speak rather of a complete change of the proteins of the virus. It is therefore a brand new flu, which complicates the work of WHO. It is in this situation that the influenza vaccine can be much less effective. This is exactly what happened in 2015-2016.
Normally, it is in the fall that the vaccine is administered in anticipation of winter. However, we will know later what is the new face of the flu for the season. It is therefore too late to go back and modify the vaccine. In any case, it is better to be protected a little, than not at all!
Who should be vaccinated?
The risk of hospitalization due to the flu is low. On the other hand, some groups of people are at higher risk and should be vaccinated first. These are young children, pregnant women, people aged 60 and over, and those with certain chronic diseases. Do not hesitate to offer the vaccine to your loved ones if you are part of the population at risk.
Every year, the flu vaccination campaign runs from November until the end of the virus season. The latter hits in December or January.
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