Why Are New Flu Vaccinations Required for Each New Flu

question 60

Multiple Choice

Why are new flu vaccinations required for each new flu season instead of developing a universal flu vaccine?

• A) The vaccination cannot contain enough preservatives to last in the body longer than a year.
• B) The flu virus mutates frequently enough that last year's vaccination will no longer target currently circulating flu strains.
• C) The flu virus can become latent, meaning it can hide from the immune system within the body, so new vaccinations are important to allow for continuing immunity.
• D) The vaccination does not contain enough antigens to create a lasting immune response, so boosters are required every year.

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Definitions:

Charles de Montesquieu

was an 18th-century French philosopher known for his theory of the separation of powers, which informs much of modern democratic government structure.

Natural State

A concept referring to the condition of human society or individuals in an environment not significantly altered by human intervention.

The Persian Letters

A literary work by Montesquieu presenting a satirical analysis of European society through the fictitious letters of Persian travelers.

Sociologists

Scholars and practitioners who study social behavior, institutions, and structures, aiming to understand how societies function and how individuals interact within them.