IMMUNOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Why is it important to get a flu vaccine EVERY year? Flu viruses are constantly changing, so flu vaccines may be updated from one season to the next to protect against the viruses that research suggests will be common during the upcoming flu season. Your protection from a flu vaccine declines over time.

Detailed explanation-2: -Antigenic Drift As a virus replicates, its genes undergo random “copying errors” (i.e. genetic mutations). Over time, these genetic copying errors can, among other changes to the virus, lead to alterations in the virus’ surface proteins or antigens.

Detailed explanation-3: -The influenza virus changes (mutates) each year. So, getting vaccinated each year is important to make sure you have immunity to the strains most likely to cause an outbreak. MYTH: You can catch the flu from going out in cold weather without a coat, with wet hair or by sitting near a drafty window.

Detailed explanation-4: -Seasonal flu vaccines fight infection by inducing antibodies that target the HA head. This region varies season to season, which is why flu vaccines must be updated each year.

Detailed explanation-5: -But influenza lacks the ability to repair those errors, because it is an RNA virus; RNA, unlike DNA, lacks a self-correcting mechanism. As a result, influenza is not genetically stable. Every generation is slightly different, and those differences accumulate as time passes.