Rumor has it that there is no need to get another flu shot this fall if you got one last year...true?

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has chosen the three influenza (flu) viruses for the 2011-2012 seasonal flu vaccine. Selection is based on recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO). Each year, experts from FDA, WHO, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other institutions study virus samples collected from around the world to identify the influenza viruses that are the most likely to cause illness during the upcoming flu season so that people can be protected against them through vaccination.

 2011–2012 seasonal influenza vaccine contain the following three vaccine viruses which are the same viruses selected for the 2010-2011 influenza vaccine:

• an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus;
• an A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus; and
• a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus.

So, if the influenza vaccine composition is the same for the upcoming season as it was last season, do I need to get vaccinated again?

Yes, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). People should get vaccinated every year because even if the viruses in the vaccine are the same as the year before, immunity to influenza viruses declines over time and may be too low to provide protection after a year.

 

We are booking now for flu shot clinics in the fall. Give us a call to schedule one for you and your employees.