1) Vaccines typically prevent specific viral or bacterial illness (e.g. mumps; measles;chickenpox; tetanus; rabies), but many people who get annual flu shots still get the flu why?
The reason why people still get the flu despite having annual flu shots is because no vaccine is 100% effective. Some flu vaccines do not protect a person from the other viruses that circulate. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the flu shot depends on the age and health status of the individual who get the vaccine. Vaccines are more effective among young, healthy adults and older children. After vaccination some people with certain kinds of chronic diseases may develop less immunity .
2) How and where do new strains of flu arise and why do new flu vaccines have to be developed every year?
Flu strains migrate across the globe and then it evolves along the way. New flu vaccines have to be developed every year because the flu virus transforms into a new virulent strain which mutates rapidly. Another reason why new flu vaccines are developed yearly is because viruses are capable of developing resistance to drugs.
3) How do vaccines work to keep us healthy?
Antibodies develop in the body when flu vaccines are injected. The antibodies then provide protection for a person against infection. Vaccines make the body recognize and react to a virus quickly.4) What is a pandemic and with all our medical technology why is there so much concern about a possible pandemic?
“A pandemic is an epidemic of infectious disease that is spreading through human populations across a large region; for instance a continent, or even worldwide”. There is so much concern about a possible pandemic because it can cause severe social, economic, and political stress. Aside from the seriousness of the illness, it spreads easily among humans especially because individuals today are extremely internationally mobile. Furthermore, it takes at least six months before a vaccine is available, which means that the virus have already spread rapidly and the vaccine has not yet been developed.
A pandemic may also result in a shortage of vaccines or antibiotics. A pandemic is a very serious problem because there might be a lack of medical facilities and personnel to service a large number of people afflicted with the virus.
References
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Clancy, S. (2008). Genetics of the influenza virus. Retrieved from nature.com: http://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/genetics-of-the-influenza-virus-716
Macroevolution.ent. (2011). New flu strains. Retrieved from macroevolution.net: http://www.macroevolution.net/flu-strains.html#.UUaZXBd0yM0
News-Medical.Net. (n.d.). What is pandemic? Retrieved from news-medical: http://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-a-Pandemic.aspx
Nordqvist, C. (2009, May 5). What is a pandemic? What is an epidemic? Retrieved from medicalnewstoday.com: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/148945.php
Nowak, R. (2009, May 1). Multi-drug strategy could slow pandemic spread. Retrieved from newscientist.com: http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17069-multidrug-strategy-could-slow-pandemic-spread.html
Shannon-Firestone, S. (2010, March 18). How do vaccines keep people healthy and safe? Retrieved from indianapublicmedia.org: http://indianapublicmedia.org/amomentofscience/vaccines-keep-people-healthy-and-safe/
U.S. HealthWorks Medical Group. (2013). Healthy tips. Retrieved from ushealthworks.com: http://www.ushealthworks.com/HealthyTips_ColdsFlu_ShotsFAQ.html
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