When was flu shots invented

This follows a southern hemisphere outbreak that, at least in Australia, has been reported as the worst ever. We need a vaccine, a Universal Influenza Vaccine, not a vaccine locked to particular strains of the virus, that protects against the virus as it slowly mutates and drifts away from that used in the conventional vaccine each year. We also need a vaccine that protects against the unexpected Pandemic virus that can appear from nowhere, as it did with devastating consequences in , and more recently in — when up to 1 million people are believed to have died.

At FluCamp, we study viruses like the flu and the common cold in safe and controlled conditions, through the use of clinical trials. We hope that one day our work, with the help of our volunteers, will contribute to the development of a vaccine that protects against any influenza virus that might slowly develop or suddenly appear. Healthy volunteers, like those we recruit, are at worst likely to end up in bed feeling rough, but what we learn from them has been, and very much is, invaluable.

To find out more about FluCamp and the work that we do, click here page for more information, or call us on An average clinical trial length is 11 — 14 days. To apply for FluCamp please complete our online form. We'll call you back within 24 hours to explain the next steps so you can decide if it's for you. Any Questions? Three years later, in , the first inactivated influenza vaccine IIV was licensed for use by ordinary people — having been previously tested on the army.

In , a second type of vaccine known as live, attenuated influenza vaccine LAIV was released. This type was developed for children , and contains a weakened — rather than inactivated — form of the flu virus. In , a cell-cultured version of the IIV was developed. A year later, in , a recombinant influenza vaccine RIV was released.

The nasal spray vaccine the type given to children is made using weakened versions of the virus. Each year the World Health Organization makes recommendations about which flu strains will be prevalent in different parts of the world that coming flu season. Using this guidance, manufacturers of the flu vaccine develop a new vaccine for that year , designed to offer the highest level of protection.

You can still get the flu after having the jab, but if you do your symptoms should be milder and last for a shorter time than they would normally. In the UK, the flu is most prevalent during the late autumn, winter, and early spring. This pandemic was relatively mild, with global deaths estimated at one million.

This strain was new and was believed to have arisen from a combination of human, avian and swine flu. It was first identified in Mexico and quickly spread around the world. For most people who contracted this flu, symptoms were mild. However, for a select few it caused serious complications in the lungs and severe pneumonia. Almost 40, cases were recorded in Australia and people died. The median age of death was 53, whereas normal, seasonal flu has a median age of death of around Over time, Australia has become better at weathering each flu season.

Government programs to improve accessibility to the flu vaccine for the elderly and young children ensure that more people are vaccinated. Growing acceptance of the flu vaccine and corporate programs to inoculate their workforce have also assisted in reducing the number of infected and annual deaths from the flu.

Save yourself the wasted time and the days of feeling terrible with a simple jab right at the start of the season.