The Trouble with This Year's Flu Season

The video discusses the severe flu season in North America, focusing on the H3N2 virus, which is causing increased hospitalizations and deaths. The challenges in creating effective vaccines due to the virus's rapid mutation and production issues are highlighted. The video emphasizes the importance of vaccination, especially for the elderly, and explains the concept of herd immunity.

What makes the H3N2 virus subtype particularly concerning during this flu season?

• It is a new virus that has never been seen before.

• It only affects children and young adults.

• It tends to make more people very sick, leading to higher hospitalizations and deaths.

• It is resistant to all known medications.

Why is it challenging to create an effective vaccine for the H3N2 virus?

• H3N2 viruses are only found in animals, not humans.

• H3N2 viruses mutate quickly, making it hard to predict the right strains for vaccines.

• H3N2 viruses mutate more slowly than other flu viruses.

• H3N2 viruses do not respond to any vaccines.

What issue arises from using chicken eggs in the production of flu vaccines?

• The virus cannot grow in chicken eggs.

• The virus mutates to adapt to chicken cells, potentially reducing vaccine effectiveness.

• Chicken eggs are too expensive to use for vaccine production.

• The virus becomes more potent when grown in chicken eggs.

What is 'original antigenic sin' in the context of flu viruses?

• A method of creating vaccines using old virus strains.

• The idea that the first flu virus you encounter influences your immune response to future strains.

• The first flu virus discovered in history.

• A type of flu virus that is particularly deadly.

Why is it important to get vaccinated even if the flu vaccine is less effective against H3N2?

• The vaccine is completely ineffective against all flu types.

• It provides no protection against other flu types.

• Even reduced effectiveness can lessen the severity of illness and protect others through herd immunity.

• The vaccine is only for people over 50 years old.

How does herd immunity help protect vulnerable populations?

• By ensuring everyone gets sick at the same time.

• By eliminating the need for any vaccinations.

• By reducing the overall amount of flu circulating, protecting those who cannot be vaccinated.

• By making the virus stronger and more widespread.

What is a significant reason why the elderly are more affected by H3N2 viruses?

• They were not exposed to H3N2 viruses in their youth, making them more susceptible now.

• They are the only age group that can contract H3N2.

• They have a natural immunity to H3N2 viruses.

• They have stronger immune systems.