Can you boost your flu protection?

It’s that time of year again. Flu vaccination time!

The flu (or influenza) is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract that can cause severe illness and life-threatening complications. It can affect people of all ages.  Annual flu vaccination is recommended for everyone over 6 months of age and is the most effective means of preventing an infection.

The best flu protection available is the flu vaccine. Whilst, flu vaccination reduces the risk of flu and its complications, it doesn’t eliminate risk. The flu vaccines we use to provide protection against 4 strains of the influenza virus. The strains used can change from year to year depending on which viruses are predicted to circulate in each upcoming season. This process is good, but not foolproof! To make things more complicated, not everyone who receives a flu vaccine makes enough antibodies to protect them against infection.

So, by choosing to get your flu vaccine you are taking a step in the right direction towards protecting yourself this winter, but can you boost your protection? Maybe!

We know that having a healthy gut microbiome assists in having a strong immune system. Evidence suggests that if your gut microbiome has been disrupted, potentially due to antibiotics, your immune response to vaccination may be reduced. Trials have shown that taking specific strains of probiotics from the time of vaccination leads to increased levels of antibodies. Flu vaccination patients who have been prescribed these probiotics showed a better immune response to vaccination and a better level of protection against the virus.

Is it time for you to book your annual flu vaccination?

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