The Case for Flu Vaccination
Influenza or flu vaccine encompasses the seasonal vaccination
that protects against infection by the influenza viruses.
It’s generally available in two forms; the inactive form administered as
shots or intramuscular injections and the weakened live viral forms
sprayed intranasally.
The flu vaccination is generally safe and listed among
the WHO list of Essential Medicines.
It is currently the best way to protect the populace from the flu,
thereby preventing it’s spread and both the United States Center
for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization
recommend yearly vaccination for nearly all people beyond six
months of age, especially if in high risk groups such as pregnant,
healthcare workers, elderly, those with other healthcare conditions
and children between six months and five years of age.
The influenza vaccination was initiated in the 1930’s but
achieved large scale availability in the United States in 19455
and even though their effectiveness varies from year to year, it has
been established by the CDC that they do reduce the incidence
of influenza related sickness, medical visits, hospitalizations and deaths
On vaccination, it takes about two weeks to form
protective antibodies
and as of 2015, each influenza vaccine dose cost less than $25 in
the United States and very much less in most
developing nations.
Vaccin Res Open J. 2018; 3(1): e4-e5. doi: 10.17140/VROJ-3-e006
