4 ms·
i really don't understand why booster shots are a "political discussion" i have normal flu booster shots ever year -- and that's fine. why not for covid?
by fernandotakai 5y ago
i really don't understand why booster shots are a "political discussion"
i have normal flu booster shots ever year -- and that's fine. why not for covid?
- TimTheTinker 5y agoEvery 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.
- favorited 5y ago> 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.
- TimTheTinker 5y agoIt 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.
- JoshuaDavid 5y agoThe political discussion is more about whether booster shots should be mandatory or whether they should be forbidden.