Academician Netesov called for flu vaccination due to changes in all components

Brief retelling from RIA II

This year, all three components of the flu vaccine have been changed, says RAS Academician Sergei Netesov.

Everyone should get vaccinated against the flu this year, especially people at risk, the expert emphasizes.

The virologist stated that the evolving flu is currently more dangerous than the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

NOVOSIBIRSK, September 16 – RIA Novosti. Everyone should get vaccinated against the flu this year, especially people at risk, due to the unique situation when all three components of the flu vaccine have been changed, says Sergei Netesov, head of the laboratory of bionanotechnology, microbiology and virology of the Faculty of Natural Sciences of Novosibirsk State University, academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

“We know that influenza viruses evolve and the vaccine needs to be changed every year. Since this vaccine is three-component, this year is unique because scientists have changed all three components of the vaccine that will now be in the flu vaccine. These are the Hong Kong type influenza virus, the Spanish flu type virus (pandemic, swine) and the type B influenza virus,” the scientist told reporters.

The expert considers replacing all three components of the vaccine justified.

“Those people who have not been vaccinated for a year or two before should definitely do so this year, especially people from risk groups. These are people aged 65+, people with immunodeficiencies, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and so on,” Netesov said.