Abstract/ Introduction:
Influenza, also known as the flu, is a very common illness that affects all humans worldwide. This year, the CDC estimates that there have been at least 3.7 million reported illnesses, and 2,300 deaths from flu so far. However, as influenza is a common virus, researchers in the 1940s developed vaccinations to counteract the virus. With advancing technology and equipment, influenza vaccines have been enhanced and adapted to the new variants that have emerged throughout the years. It is highly recommended that everyone who is 6 months and older receives an annual flu shot to protect themselves from the virus during each year’s season. As the world delves deeper into the perplexity of influenza and its prevention, it has become evident that influenza vaccines play a crucial role in fortifying human health.
Influenza viruses are categorized by types (A, B, C, and D) and are caused by closely related viruses in a group of RNA viruses – the Orthomyxoviridae family. Although these viruses produce similar symptoms, they are antigenically unrelate; therefore, being infected with one type does not provide immunity to the others. The most common viruses that humans are susceptible to are type A and type B. Type A viruses typically cause influenza epidemics while type B viruses tend to cause small localized outbreaks. Type A viruses are also classified into subtypes due to their differences in the composition of their 2 surface-level antigens, H (hemagglutinin) and N (neuraminidase). Some examples include H1N1, H5N1, and H3N2. Additionally, these viruses also undergo rapid and constant evolution, causing more subspecies to emerge. This is why getting an annual influenza vaccine is very important and highly recommended. Recent studies show that an annual flu vaccine reduces the risk of people getting infected by around 40-60%. There are many different types of vaccines currently available and the most popular ones are the Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent vaccine and Fluad Quadrivalent adjuvanted flu vaccine.
Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent vaccine and Fluad Quadrivalent adjuvanted flu vaccine are made of similar compositions and generally work the same way. Most influenza vaccines are made in egg-based incubation processes where 4 strands of the virus are incubated in a fertilized chicken egg. This process allows the virus to replicate before they are collected to be weakened and added to a mass-produced injection. When the deactivated influenza virus is injected into the body, this weakened version of the virus trains the immune system to recognize an antigen on the surface of the virus. This allows the body to develop antibodies that will fight the virus. Thus, when the body is exposed to the virus, the immune system will attack the recognized antigen with the developed antibodies, decreasing the risk of becoming heavily infected or severely ill. The Fluzone Quadrivalent vaccine contains 4 times the antigen as standard doze influenza vaccines. As is it a quadrivalent vaccine, it protects against 4 strains of the influenza virus, therefore, it is highly recommended for adults ages 65 and older. Similarly, Fluad is also a quadrivalent vaccine which means that it has the same antigen content per strain as Fluzone and can protect against 4 strains of the virus. However, Fluad contains an adjuvant called MF59. This adjuvant is an ingredient added to help enhance the immune system response. Therefore, it is also highly recommended for adults ages 65 or older. Even Though both vaccinations are highly recommended for adults ages 65 or older, they are also particularly suitable for adults ages 18 and older.
The effectiveness of influenza vaccines varies from season to season. This means that many variables affect the protection that vaccinations can provide. The 2 main variables that most likely determine the effectiveness of the vaccines are the characteristics of the person being vaccinated including how well their body responds to the vaccination and how well the vaccine “matches” the type of influenza virus that is spreading around that season. In other words, when there is a good match between the vaccinations and circulating viruses, vaccines provide significant benefits to the community by preventing illnesses and other complications. This also means that vaccinations that contain many strains of viruses are primarily a better choice as they protect against more types of influenza viruses that may be circulating. However, getting a vaccination does not entirely mean that one will be immune to the virus. Being annually vaccinated reduces the severity of illness in those who have been infected. This means that with the vaccine when one gets infected, their symptoms are far less dangerous and possibly do not require hospitalization. A study in 2021 shows that among the adults who were hospitalized with the flu, vaccinated patients had a 26% lower risk of intensive care unit (ICU) admission and a 31% lower risk of death from flu compared with those who were unvaccinated. Therefore, this reiterates how the influenza vaccination is very effective in controlling the number of patients infected each season and decreasing the level of illness in infected patients.
In conclusion, although influenza vaccinations may not be able to prevent people from catching the virus entirely, it is still a very impactful preventative tool that significantly decreases the severity of the flu epidemic every year. Over the years, there have been massive improvements to vaccinations providing citizens with better prevention and healthcare. Overall, receiving the annual influenza vaccination is highly recommended as it not only prevents you from becoming severely ill from the virus but also helps build a stronger immune system in your body.
Work Cited:
(Cover Image Source: European Pharmaceutical Review)
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