That’s why vaccines are updated to protect you.
As the viruses that cause COVID-19 and flu spread, they change. Staying up to date
with recommended vaccines helps keep you protected.
Changing Viruses.
Viruses change so they can avoid our natural immune response and the protection provided by vaccines. This is known as “mutation.”
The virus that causes COVID-19 has “mutated” throughout the pandemic. This has resulted in many “variants” — versions of the virus that are different from its original form.
COVID-19 and flu vaccines are updated to specifically address changing viruses and protect against the variants that are circulating.
Updated Vaccines.
The vaccines targeting COVID-19 and flu are updated regularly to provide protection against changing viruses. The next update will target variants expected to be circulating during the fall.
Some viruses, like measles and polio, don’t mutate or do so infrequently. This is why vaccination against these types of diseases provides longer-lasting protection.
Staying Up to Date With Your Vaccines Is Still Critical.
COVID-19 and flu result in thousands of hospitalizations and deaths each year. The best way to reduce the risk of severe illness from infectious respiratory disease is to stay up to date with recommended vaccinations.
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