[ortusdux]

I'm not a doctor/immunologist, but as I understand it the flu shot targets 4-5 different strains. Each year they have to ID what they believe will be this season's leading strains, and then blend together the mix ahead of time. This takes a lot of work, and sometimes they get it wrong and 8th most common strain surges and it's a scramble to save lives.

So I think the promise of a 'universal' vaccine means one that would target all/most strains.

[Izkata]

Yep, this is why you're supposed to get them every year - it's extremely rare for a new strain of influenza to appear (we're talking like 3-5 in the past century IIRC), but rather than attempt to have everyone keep track of which ones they've gotten the shot for, it's easier to just tell everyone to get the current one.

Because of this scattershot approach it's also not clear how long it actually lasts.

This is also one of the main reasons mRNA is supposed to be such a huge boon to vaccinations: one of the major reasons so few are targeted each year is manufacturing costs.

[landemva]

> you're supposed to get them every year

I'm physically active, no big health issues, and my Dr. says I don't need it.

[klyrs]

That described me when I got a flu that kicked my ass with a high fever for a few weeks and career-impacting brain fog that lasted a couple of years. Your doc is right, you don't need it; you'll survive. But if your brain is your moneymaker, be warned that death isn't the only possible long term side effect.