Further Evidence Demonstrates the Benefits of Receiving the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Not Only for Your Own Health, But Also for the Safety of Those Surrounding You.
In a significant development, a new study suggests that universal flu vaccines could potentially prevent over 80% of infections if coverage is sufficient, marking a major advance in the fight against influenza [1][3]. However, the efficacy of these vaccines during high transmission scenarios, such as pandemic outbreaks, presents some challenges.
The study, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, simulated over a million agents representing Allegheny County, Pennsylvania's demographics. The findings reveal that while vaccination significantly reduces disease burden during typical seasonal flu transmission, the indirect protection (herd immunity) offered to unvaccinated individuals diminishes and can disappear when transmission rates become very high [1].
This means that even a highly effective vaccine, while protecting vaccinated individuals, may not provide sufficient herd immunity to protect unvaccinated populations during intense transmission events [1]. Both vaccine effectiveness and uptake in the population are critical. Even with low-to-moderate effectiveness or uptake, vaccination can reduce disease burden in typical seasonal settings [1].
However, in high transmission settings, the protective indirect effects of vaccination decrease, emphasizing the importance of achieving high vaccine coverage to protect vulnerable individuals who cannot be vaccinated for medical or access reasons [1].
Promising new platforms such as mRNA and adenovirus vector vaccines, especially when delivered mucosally, are being investigated and may enhance vaccine efficacy by inducing broader and possibly stronger immunity [5]. For example, Moderna’s mRNA-1010 flu vaccine showed improved strain-specific efficacy in older adults, a key demographic [2].
Centivax’s universal flu vaccine candidate is moving into clinical trials and aims to demonstrate broad protection across many flu strains, including pandemic and historically mismatched strains. If successful, this could redefine efficacy benchmarks and improve control in high transmission contexts [4].
In conclusion, while universal flu vaccines represent a major advance with the potential for broad protection, during periods of very high influenza transmission, such as pandemics, universal vaccination alone may not guarantee herd immunity to protect everyone [1][3][4]. High coverage and complementary public health measures remain vital to ensure the safety of all individuals, particularly those who are unable to get vaccinated due to medical factors or lack of access.
Sources: [1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021). 2021-2022 U.S. Flu Season: Preliminary Burden Estimates. Retrieved from
- Science and research have proposed universal flu vaccines, which may prevent over 80% of infections if coverage is sufficient, marking a significant advance against influenza.
- The findings of the study, published in JAMA Network Open, indicate that while vaccination significantly reduces disease burden, herd immunity decreases during high transmission rates.
- In high transmission scenarios, such as pandemic outbreaks, universal vaccines may not provide sufficient herd immunity to protect unvaccinated populations.
- Both vaccine effectiveness and uptake in the population are critical factors for protecting vulnerable individuals who cannot be vaccinated due to medical or access reasons.
- Despite low-to-moderate vaccine effectiveness or uptake, vaccination can still reduce disease burden in typical seasonal settings.
- Promising new platforms like mRNA and adenovirus vector vaccines may enhance vaccine efficacy by inducing broader and stronger immunity.
- Moderna’s mRNA-1010 flu vaccine demonstrated improved strain-specific efficacy in older adults, a crucial demographic.
- Centivax’s universal flu vaccine candidate is moving into clinical trials, aiming to provide broad protection across many flu strains, including pandemic and historically mismatched strains.
- If successful, Centivax’s vaccine candidate could redefine efficacy benchmarks and improve control in high transmission contexts.
- In low transmission settings, universal vaccination can provide a significant barrier to the spread of the flu.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have published 2021-2022 Seasonal Flu Vaccine Information.
- The CDC also provides preliminary burden estimates for the 2021-2022 U.S. Flu Season.
- While universal flu vaccines represent a major advance, they may not guarantee herd immunity during periods of very high influenza transmission, such as pandemics.
- High coverage and complementary public health measures play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of all individuals, particularly those unable to get vaccinated due to medical factors or lack of access.
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