![]() ![]() These proteins help the viruses grow before they go into the vaccine. It comes from an organic form of mercury called ethylmercury, a safe compound that - unlike other forms of mercury - does not remain in the body.Įthylmercury is different from the standard form of mercury that can cause illness in large doses, and it is also different from the mercury found in seafood, called methylmercury, which can stay in the body for years. Thimerosal has been safely included in vaccines since the 1930s. Single-dose vials, prefilled syringes, and nasal sprays do not need a preservative, because the risk of contamination is so low. Without it, the growth of bacteria and fungi are common in these vials. This ingredient is only present in multi-dose vials, which contain more than one dose. Thimerosal is a preservative, and it keeps vaccines from becoming contaminated. They are not always present in flu vaccines, some of which are aluminum-free. This allows scientists to include smaller amounts of the inactivated influenza viruses in these vaccines.Īs with formaldehyde and most ingredients in flu shots, the amount of aluminum present is extremely small.Īluminum salts are also in drinking water and various health products, such as antacids and antiperspirants. ![]() Aluminum saltsĪluminum salts are adjuvants - they help the body develop a stronger immune response against the virus in the vaccine. However, the tiny amounts present in flu vaccines are harmless.įormaldehyde’s role in a flu shot is to inactivate toxins from viruses and bacteria that may contaminate the vaccine during production. ![]() In high doses, formaldehyde is toxic and potentially lethal. In 2020–2021, this is one known as the Phuket strain.įormaldehyde, a chemical typically present in the human body, is a product of healthy digestive function. an influenza B virus known as the Washington strainĪ person can also get a quadrivalent, or four-component, vaccine that protects against an additional influenza B virus.the influenza A virus H3N2, also known as the Hong Kong strain.the influenza A virus H1N1, also known as the Guangdong-Maonan strain.The influenza viruses contained in the trivalent 2020–2021 flu vaccine are: The specific viruses in an annual shot depend on which are likely to circulate during that year’s flu season. This means that they protect against three viruses: two influenza A viruses, H1N1 and H3N2, and one influenza B virus. Traditional flu shots are trivalent, or three-component, vaccines. The body remembers, or stores, their appearance, so that it can quickly recognize any live versions of these viruses and create antibodies to fight them as well. The presence of these inactive viruses triggers the body’s natural defense mechanism - the immune system - which produces antibodies to fight these viruses. The nasal spray contains live viruses, but they are weakened, or attenuated, so that they, too, cannot cause the flu. In the shot, these viruses are inactivated, or dead, so they cannot cause the flu. Many studies over the years have shown that flu vaccines are safe and effective, reducing flu cases and related hospitalizations.īelow, learn about seven ingredients in flu shots and the function of each: Influenza virusesįlu vaccines contain tiny amounts of the viruses that the vaccine protects against. The purpose of each ingredient is either to make the vaccine effective or ensure that it is safe. Many vaccines for the flu and other viral infections contain similar ingredients. Share on Pinterest Image credit: lechatnoir/Getty Images This article looks at the various ingredients that flu shots contain, their function, and the safety of the vaccines. In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, reducing the spread of respiratory illnesses, including the flu, is more important than ever. Nasal spray vaccines are approved for people aged 2–49 only. A nasal spray: In this case, it contains live viruses that have been weakened, and are therefore not harmful.An injection: In this case, it usually contains tiny amounts of deactivated, and therefore not harmful, flu viruses.The CDC confirm that getting the vaccine is the best way to avoid getting the flu and spreading it to other people.ĭifferent flu vaccines have slightly different ingredients. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that everyone 6 months of age and older, with a few exceptions, have a flu vaccine every year. To ensure the flu vaccine remains effective, researchers and manufacturers work together to update the vaccine every year. The viruses that cause the flu, known as influenza viruses, are constantly changing.
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