True or false: Getting a flu vaccine guarantees 100 percent protection against influenza.

True or false: Getting a flu vaccine guarantees 100 percent protection against influenza.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not sure
• D. It depends on age

Answer: (B)

Vaccines reduce the chance of illness but do not provide perfect protection. Influenza viruses change year to year, and the vaccines are formulated to target the predicted circulating strains. When the match isn’t ideal or when a person’s immune response isn’t strong (due to age or health), some people can still get flu even after vaccination. However, vaccination often lowers the risk of infection and tends to lessen severity and risk of complications if illness occurs. For these reasons, the statement saying it guarantees 100 percent protection is false.

Vaccines reduce the chance of illness but do not provide perfect protection. Influenza viruses change year to year, and the vaccines are formulated to target the predicted circulating strains. When the match isn’t ideal or when a person’s immune response isn’t strong (due to age or health), some people can still get flu even after vaccination. However, vaccination often lowers the risk of infection and tends to lessen severity and risk of complications if illness occurs. For these reasons, the statement saying it guarantees 100 percent protection is false.