The WHO spoke about the possible protection of Russians from new strains of influenza

WHO technical experts said that the immunity of Russians, previously formed as a result of previous infection or vaccination, may provide some protection against new strains of influenza.

Seasonal influenza viruses continually evolve to allow them to evade some of the immune system, but pre-existing immunity may still provide protection.

WHO recommends updating influenza vaccines twice a year to maximize protection against severe illness and death.

MOSCOW, October 10 - RIA Novosti. The immunity of Russians, previously formed as a result of previous infection or vaccination, can provide some protection against new strains of influenza, WHO technical experts told RIA Novosti.

Director of the Research Institute of Influenza named after. A.A. Smorodintsev Ministry of Health of Russia Dmitry Lioznov reported earlier about new strains of influenza viruses to which Russians have no immunity.

As explained by the WHO, seasonal influenza viruses are constantly evolving, which allows them to partially bypass the immunity formed after an infection or vaccination.

“However, when the virus changes, immune protection does not completely disappear. Pre-existing immunity, formed as a result of vaccination or previous infection, can still provide some protection, even if the virus that a person has been infected with is not an exact copy of the strain that was previously encountered,” the experts noted.