For specific flu shot ingredients, see our “What Ingredients Are In the Flu Shot?” post.
The World Health Organization recently announced the strains that will be used in the flu vaccine for the 2016-2017 flu season. On February 25, the Vaccine and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee voted to use the strains noted below, which include two updated strains of the influenza virus.
Trivalent Vaccines:
- A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- A/Hong Kong/4801/2014 (H3N2)-like virus;
- B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus.
Quadrivalent Vaccines:
- In addition to the 3 strains mentioned above-
- B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus
The influenza vaccine virus strains selected by the WHO for the 2016-2017 northern hemisphere influenza season were chosen with the goals of offering the broadest possible coverage and making the vaccine more effective than the 2016 vaccine was.
According to reporting done by the United States Centers for Disease Control, vaccine effectiveness can vary. This requires small changes being made to the vaccine every year. Although the shot decreased the severity of symptoms for millions of recipients. During this most recent season, more than 500,000 cases of influenza were confirmed within the United States and hundreds of thousands more were confirmed in Europe as well.
The WHO and other groups hope that this change in the composition of the vaccination will help protect more people from the potentially deadly influenza virus.
These strains were selected based on data collected by the WHO including:
- Surveillance data from the global virological networks
- Research into the genetic makeup of common influenza strains
- Research data based on immune responses to influenza strains
- Antiviral resistance
- Overall vaccine effectiveness
In a WHO release, the organization explained its reasoning and was sure to point out that exact vaccine makeup is dependent on national and regional authorization and that manufacturers themselves are responsible for ensuring that the vaccines are made to specifications.
Regardless of the vaccine composition and its match to circulating virus strains, the CDC and other organizations always recommend receiving a flu shot to protect against spreading influenza and to help a person’s immune system better fight off illness if they do still contract the virus.
If you would like to schedule your flu shot now for the upcoming 2016-2017 flu season, contact a Passport Health Flu Specialist.
For more information on influenza see the Passport Health influenza page or read our weekly Flu Report during flu season.
Do you think this change will affect vaccine effectiveness? Comment below, on our Facebook page, or Tweet us with your response.
Please I will like to know the combination for the influenza vaccine for Nigeria
Great question! It will be the same vaccine explained above.
Hi , I live in Los Angeles county , I received a flu shot from Vons pharmacy , what was the combination of flu strains that I will,be protected from ? Did I receive a quadravalent group and what were they, thank you.
If you received a trivalent (which is more or less the standard at most places) then you are protected against the first three listed above, if it was a quadrivalent you are protected against all four strains listed above.
Is the nasal spray vaccine for the 2015-2016 flu season gluten-free (no wheat, rye, malt/barley, oats)?
Great question, Rachel! FluMist is gluten-free per their website.
I was considering getting the flu shot for myself, my mother (whom we live with) and my husband this year because I have a one year old now. However my mom is allergic to penicillin and other related antibiotics so she feels she may not be able to receive one. Is this safe for her, and should I get my son the shot as well? Thanks.
Hi Niki, thanks for commenting!
We would suggest speaking with a nurse or other health professional regarding your mother receiving the vaccine, without knowing her full situation, it is difficult to say what would be best for her. The CDC recommends the influenza vaccine for everyone six months and older, so getting your son vaccinated would definitely be beneficial.
Thanks!
Does a flu shot given in Namibia work in the U S?
Yes, it does! What is listed above is for everyone globally, not just in North America.
I had my flu shot in UKGB
Will it cover me in the Middle East Far East and Africa ?
Or do I need to take another flu shot there.
The 2015-2016 flu shot is effective globally, so no need for a second shot.
Am I correct in assuming that the flu vaccine provided in Scotland for 2016/17 is the same as what I have rec’d in Michigan, USA (both Northern Hemisphere)?
I travel there in the Spring 2017 and want to make sure.
That is correct.