This year’s strain of the flu virus – H3N2 – has been said to have “outfoxed” the vaccine makers again.
H3N2 is the predominant strain of the virus in British Columbia this flu season, and the vaccine’s success rates have been deemed to be approximately 30-50%. In addition to protecting against H3N2, this year’s vaccine is also designed to protect agains the H1N1 virus and the Influenza B virus. However, one should not be deterred from getting a flu vaccine on the basis of these seemingly low numbers; during last year’s flu season, some reports said that protection rates of the vaccine were lower than 23%! With that in mind, you should feel confident that getting your vaccine will better your chances of avoiding the flu virus this year.
Lucky for us here at UBC, we can sign up for free flu vaccination clinics on campus! Check out the times available on UBC’s Risk Management website to guarantee yourself a vaccine. Below is a testimonial from one vaccine recipient this month:
“It was easy to sign up online! I was slotted in for a 3-hour window wherein I could arrive at any time that was convenient for me. When I arrived to check in, there was already a long line-up in The Nest wrapping around the vaccination station. However, once I filled out my form, I only had to wait for 10 to 15 minutes before sitting down with a nurse. Much to my surprise, the vaccine didn’t cause me pain! I had expected discomfort, but it was over in less than a second. All I needed to do was give my arm a couple days’ rest and I was good to go.”
Go get vaccinated! You deserve a flu-free winter (and so do the people around you – don’t make them sick!).