Study Finds Natural Flu Infection Boosts Vaccine Effectiveness

Research shows preexisting immunity from flu infections enhances responses to future vaccinations.

University of Georgia researchers discovered that natural immunity from previous flu infections significantly improves the efficacy of subsequent flu vaccinations.
The study, funded by the NIH, suggests that contracting the flu might help individuals better combat future strains of the virus.
Animals infected with one flu strain showed heightened immunity when vaccinated with both the same and different strains.
The research supports ongoing efforts to develop universal influenza vaccines, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Future studies will explore the clinical relevance of these findings in humans, aiming to understand how natural immunity impacts protection against various flu strains.