As winter approaches, health professionals are encouraging people at risk to get vaccinated against the flu. The vaccine remains one of the most effective ways to prevent serious complications, especially in the elderly, pregnant women or immunocompromised people.
The principle of the flu vaccine is based on injecting a weakened form of the virus into the body. This allows the immune system to recognize the virus and develop a defense response.
To create the vaccine, a strain of the virus is first taken from an infected patient and then injected into a chicken egg. The virus multiplies inside the egg, and some of it is then collected, purified and processed to remove the active elements. This process, although traditional, remains the method used today for manufacturing flu vaccine.
Variable effectiveness, but a safe vaccine
Sometimes the effectiveness of the vaccine is called into question, particularly due to mutations in the flu virus. The reliability of the vaccine thus varies between 0 and 70%, depending on the strains circulating each year.
The World Health Organization (WHO) meets twice a year to determine which virus strains are likely to dominate the following season, much like weather forecasts. However, these estimates are not always accurate, which may explain some years when the vaccine is less effective.
Alternatives to the vaccine
Besides the vaccine, there are other ways to protect yourself from the flu. Some homeopathic treatments aim to strengthen immunity, but the most effective preventive measures remain a healthy lifestyle and a diet rich in vitamins, particularly vitamins D and C.
Furthermore, adopting simple actions such as washing your hands regularly and avoiding close contact can limit the spread of the virus. Every year, around 500,000 Belgians contract the flu, or around 5% of the population.
With winter approaching, the reminder of these measures and access to the vaccine are essential to limit the impact of the epidemic.
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