Some flu vaccines promise a little more protection

It's time to get your flu vaccine, and this fall some brands promise a little extra protection.

For the first time, certain vaccines will guard against four strains of flu rather than the usual three.

They're called quadrivalent vaccines, and they're so new that they'll make up only a fraction of the year's supply.

All the sold in the U.S. this year will be the four-strain kind, and a few varieties of shots.

Specialists say that's just one of many flu options to choose from, not necessarily a better one.

The government recommends a yearly for nearly everyone, starting at 6 months of age.

Early fall is the ideal time, so protection kicks in before flu starts spreading.

© 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Citation: Some flu vaccines promise a little more protection (2013, September 2) retrieved 23 April 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-09-flu-vaccines.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

First vaccine against four flu strains ready to ship

 shares

Feedback to editors