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Every year influenza mutates.

The flu booster shot is actually a full vaccination based on the leading 2-3 variants they predict will be dominant in the coming flu season.

Also, flu vaccines are based on weakened viral particles, not mRNA transcriptions of key viral proteins... so the two really aren't comparable.



> flu vaccines are based on weakened viral particles, not mRNA transcriptions of key viral proteins

Thankfully this is changing. Moderna is entering trials for an mRNA vaccine for seasonal flu. The faster development time for mRNA vaccines will mean more time to study the emerging flu strains before committing to which to include in the booster.


It will be very interesting to study the effects of an mRNA shot on the epidemiology of influenza.

Being less politically loaded, perhaps such studies could shed insight on COVID epidemiology and help improve policy.




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