Mrs T is still a little confused as her father has had the flu vaccine already and is

wondering why would her father still develop influenza? She wonders whether the
flu vaccine caused him to have flu and why would the GP not write a prescription
for her Dad or herself?
4. Why would a patient develop influenza despite having received the flu vaccine?
The actual efficacy of the influenza vaccination varies greatly year on year [1].
One factor in the efficacy of the vaccine is the age and general health of the
recipient [1]. A recent study in the United States found that influenza vaccines
have the lowest efficacy in patients aged 65 years and older [2]. As the immune
system deteriorates as patients age, the level of protection afforded by the
vaccine diminishes [1].
The second potential reason for developing flu despite having received the
vaccine is the patient coming into contact with a strain of influenza virus that the
vaccine provides no immunity from [1].
What is the purpose of using an influenza vaccine, if the patient may still develop
influenza?
Although there is still a chance the patient will develop flu, the disease itself is
very serious and can in fact be lethal.
Can the influenza vaccine cause flu? Provide reason.
No, though it is possible for people who have just had the flu vaccine to develop
flu-like symptoms. The reasons for this include an infection occurring caused by
other respiratory viruses with symptoms similar to influenza, infection by
influenza shortly before being vaccinated against it or during the period shortly
after being vaccinated, or infection by a strain of influenza that the vaccine
provides no protection for [3].
Which patient groups should be receiving flu vaccines?
Already answered.
5. What is the scientific reasoning behind having another flu vaccine every year
when for most other preventative vaccinations there is no need to top up?
The vaccination (in healthy patients) lasts at least one influenza season [5]. After
this, the protection granted by the vaccine diminishes. In older patients, due to a
decreased response to the vaccine, protection may not last for the whole year
[4].
Also, new vaccines are developed each year to protect against the strains of
influenza that are circulating.

6. How is influenza transmitted?

Which simple measures can be used to avoid transmission?

Already answered.

References:
[1] http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaccineeffect.htm
[2] McLean, HQ. et al. (2014). Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness in the United
States During 201213: Variable Protection by Age and Virus Type. The Journal
of Infectious Diseases Advance Access.
http://jid.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2014/11/18/infdis.jiu647.long
[3] http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/misconceptions.htm
[4] PHE (2014) Immunisation against infectious disease - "The Green Book".
Chapter 19 - Influenza. Public Health England. www.dh.gov.uk
[5] http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm