In 2023, trivalent and quadrivalent flu vaccines will be effective, the director of the eponymous Influenza Research Institute told socialbites.ca. AA Smorodintseva Ministry of Health of Russia, Professor Dmitry Lioznov.
These include Sovigripp, Ultrix, Grippol and Flu-M. They differ in their ability to protect against the three or four influenza viruses.
“But this year the situation is unique; Actually there is no difference between them. This was due to the disappearance of the Yamagata lineage influenza B virus during the pandemic (in the mid-1980s, group B viruses split into two lines, Yamagata and Victorian). That’s why both trivalent and quadrivalent vaccines “worked” this year, the expert said.
To find out which virus will dominate this season, the Flu Institute observes the circulation of ARVI pathogens throughout the year.
“There are more than 140 centers like us in the world that are part of the WHO global influenza surveillance programme. These institutions collect morbidity data and isolate and study viruses from patients. This way it is known which variants are in circulation,” explained the professor.
The characteristics of these flu viruses are then passed on to World Health Organization experts, who make recommendations based on data from around the world to include the four most common and dangerous strains of flu viruses in vaccines.
“This happens in February, so that in the spring and summer flu vaccine manufacturers have time to produce them in the fall,” Lioznov said.
Learn more about when flu cases are expected to increase in Russia, what other respiratory viruses are being combated in Russia, and the development of new vaccines in Lioznov’s interview with socialbites.ca.
Previously Professor named Period of expected increase in flu cases in Russia.