What viruses will this season’s vaccine protect against?
The flu vaccine is updated every year to combat the flu viruses that research indicates are most likely to cause illness during the upcoming season. The 2010-2011 flu vaccine is being made in the same way as seasonal vaccines have been made for decades. It will protect against the 2009 H1N1 virus that caused so much illness last season, and two other influenza viruses (an H3N2 virus and an influenza B virus). About 2 weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against influenza virus infection develop in the body.
Even people that got vaccinated with the 2009 H1N1 vaccine or last year’s seasonal vaccine need to be vaccinated with the flu seasonal vaccine this year. This season’s vaccine provides protection against other influenza strains that were not in either the seasonal or the 2009 H1N1 vaccine last season and besides, immunity from a vaccine gotten last year may decline over time.
Should I get the 2010-11 flu vaccine even if I received the 2009 H1N1 vaccine late in the 2009-2010 flu season?
Yes. You need to get the 2010-11 seasonal flu vaccine even if you got the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine late last season. The flu vaccine is updated each season to provide protection against the three flu viruses that research indicates will cause the most illness. The 2010-11 flu vaccine provides protection against the 2009 H1N1 virus, and 2 additional viruses (an influenza A H3N2 virus and an influenza B virus) that were not included in the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine. So if you don't get the 2010-11 flu vaccine, you will not be protected against two of the three main flu viruses expected to circulate this flu season. Additionally, immunity wanes over time, so even if you received the 2009 H1N1 vaccine late in the 2009-10 flu season, you may not be protected against the 2009 H1N1 virus for the 2010-11 flu season.
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