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I am afraid the answer below is wrong, as researchers have managed to make one to the core proteins that don't change between strains. I was just wondering why it hadn't been done earlier. (quote of Wrong answer) There is no universal flu vaccine. It must be reformulated each year to try to match the flu strains though likely to be most important in the coming flu season. (end quote of wrong answer)
The fact that a universal flu has not been made earlier (though as of October 2008 is not commercially available) likely has to do with funding issues, changing technologies and the requirement for studies and clinical trials.
Since Type A flu mutates more readily than Type B, the research is aimed at finding and utilizing aspects flu viruses that do not readily mutate. So the mechanisms that would make it work are not the normal killed-virus vaccine. They must go through a process of studies and clinical trials before they will be approved by FDA. Fear of the Avian flu has spurred the research.
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Are you immune to Influenza after you have had it?
You are not immune to Influenza. Even getting the yearly flu vaccine is no guarantee that a person won't get the flu. You can get the flu but it won't be as bad as it could be if you hadn't received the flu vaccine.
Are the microbes that are injected in a vaccination dead or alive?
They can be either. Some vaccines are made with dead viruses or particles of viruses and other vaccines are made with attenuated (weakened) viruses that are not able to make an otherwise healthy person sick. In 2009 the swine flu vaccine approved for use in the US was prepared both ways, the nasal flu vaccine was made from attenuated viruses and the shots were made with dead viruses.
How important is getting the flu shot when you don't have a spleen?
I would think very important. You immune system maybe compromised because of it.is it safe for me to get the vaccine??
What are vaccines for influenza made from?
If the influenza vaccine is to be made from a live virus, then the strain is selected, grown, and then weakened (usually chemically) to be able to trigger an immune response but not be strong enough to cause the infection. If it is to be made using a "dead" or inert virus that also does the same to trigger immune response and antibody production without causing infection, then the virus is grown and then made inactive before being used in the vaccine.Once the virus particles needed are produced one of the two ways above, they are purified, isolated and combined with administration medium that is either for injection or for use with a mist/inhalation administration medium.There are sometimes adjuvants added that will make a little go a long way (these are not used in the US flu vaccines). This way smaller doses are needed and so more vaccine can be distributed to more people in shorter times. This is helpful if the strain is not easily or quickly grown and vaccine is needed quickly.There are also preservatives added to maintain the purity of the vaccine. This is needed especially in multi-dose vials that are not used entirely upon opening of the sterile vials. Single dose vials and syringes are usually available without the addition of these preservatives for people with special needs or Allergies to the preservatives.For a full list of the common ingredients used today in flu vaccines, see the related question below about the specific ingredients in the swine flu vaccine.
What happens after you receive a vaccination for influenza?
There are two types of flu vaccine - the injection, which contains killed virus, and the nasal spray, which contains live, weakened flu virus as the antigen that sparks the immune response.About two weeks after the vaccination adults are protected against the specific types of flu virus included in the vaccine. There are usually 3 types in the seasonal flu vaccinations.Some possible side effects of the vaccine are soreness at the injection site, achiness in muscles, or a very mild fever. These effects usually only last one or two days, or not at all.Children over 6 months and under 10 years usually receive a series of two flu vaccinations about a month apart, since their immune systems aren't able to respond with full immunization without the "booster". Usually two to three weeks after the second vaccination, they will be fully protected from those specific virus infections as long as they have an otherwise healthy immune system.See the related link for more information.
What does the H1N1 vaccine cover?
Originally in 2009 the vaccine for the pandemic swine flu was a monovalent vaccine, which means it was made to only prevent that one type of flu. Then for the 2010-2011 flu season, a trivalent vaccine was made for the regular flu just like every year. Trivalent means it is made to cover/prevent three different kinds of influenza virus infections. For the most recent flu season in the Northern Hemisphere, the "regular" flu shot contained the vaccine for swine flu and two others. So, the monovalent H1N1 vaccine covered only one type of flu: the pandemic swine flu. But the trivalent seasonal flu vaccines cover three types of flu (one of which, for the 2010 - 2011 flu season, is Swine flu H1N1/09).
How long to wait between flu vaccine and shingles vaccine?
interval- flu vaccine and the shingles vaccine
Can flu vaccine be given at the same time as the varicella vaccine?
Yes, you can get flu vaccine and varicella vaccine at the same time.
Avian flu vaccine?
Q-pan is the approved vaccine for Avian Flu or H5N1.
When was the H1N1 shot made?
There have been several versions of H1N1 influenza over the years. But the most recent H1N1 flu was the pandemic "Swine Flu" A-H1N1/09. The monovalent (made with and for protection against a single virus) vaccine for it was made just before the flu season in fall/winter 2009-2010. Again, in the 2010-2011 flu season the same vaccine was included in the trivalent (made with three viruses) vaccine for the seasonal flu. If you had the monovalent vaccine in 2009, then you should still take the trivalent vaccine for the 2010 flu season. It will not hurt to get another dose of the H1N1/09 virus vaccine, it might enhance the immunity of some people, and you need to be vaccinated for the other two viruses that are most likely to be going around in this season.
When can you stop flu shots?
The flu vaccine is recommended for children and the elderly but nobody is forced to get it. Whether or not to get a flu vaccine is a personal choice.
Why does the flu vaccine developed each year not always work?
The flu vaccine is not a new vaccine that is developed from scratch every year. The flu virus mutates rapidly into different strains, meaning that a vaccination from a previous year will not protect you for another year's strain. The vaccine is modified to take account of this - it is not developed from scratch every time.
If flu vaccine is left out of refrigerator how long is it good for?
how long is flu vaccine good for if left out of the refrigerator
Are blood products or fractions in the universal influenza vaccine?
There is not a universal influenza vaccine approved or marketed in the US yet, but scientists are working on one and getting close. It is highly unlikely that there will be human blood products or traces of them in a universal vaccine, just like there are none in the current flu vaccines. Currently there can be traces of egg/chicken protein that may have come from chicken blood components in flu vaccines, since the flu virus is cultivated in chicken eggs before ready for inclusion in the vaccines. The amount is negligible, and even some people with allergy to eggs can go ahead and get the vaccine due to the tiny traces it contains (with some precautions. See the related question below for more on that.)
Can you give flu vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine together?
no
Are you immune to Influenza after you have had it?
You are not immune to Influenza. Even getting the yearly flu vaccine is no guarantee that a person won't get the flu. You can get the flu but it won't be as bad as it could be if you hadn't received the flu vaccine.
Do you have to wait a full year between flu immunizations?
yes, if it is for the same vaccine, but not if it is for a new vaccine against a different flu
