Can the flu vaccine prevent the COVIND-19 virus?

Can the flu vaccine prevent the COVIND-19 virus?. “Influenza vaccine cannot prevent the COVID-19 virus infection. It is completely different from the COVID-19 vaccine.” Wang Dayan, director of the National Influenza Center of China CDC, made it clear that the flu vaccine only targets the flu virus and not only does not prevent the COVID-19 virus, it is for other people with similar symptoms. There is no preventive effect on respiratory infectious diseases.

　　 However, flu vaccination will indirectly support the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic. Why? From November 1st to 2nd, during the 2020 World Influenza Conference, infectious disease prevention and control experts explained to the public one by one.

　　The flu vaccine cannot protect against the new coronavirus

　　 “I want to clarify with the common people that the flu vaccine can only prevent the flu.” Wang Dayan emphasized that the COVID-19 virus is completely different from the flu virus.

　　 Influenza (flu) is caused by influenza virus, and COVID-19 pneumonia is caused by new coronavirus.

　　 Although both are viruses, the difference can be said to be tens of thousands of miles. The genes and proteins that make up the two viruses are very different. Wang Dayan explained that the nucleic acid of the new coronavirus is a large genome with only one chain and a long length; the genome of influenza is 8 segments.

　　 If it’s hard to remember, it can be understood as: the COVID-19 virus is like “independent bulk delivery”, while the flu virus is “single-order delivery.” There will be a variety of combinations in the “spelling list”. According to data records: 3 of the 8 segments of the Asian influenza virus (H2N2) gene that was circulating in 1957 are from duck influenza virus, and the remaining 5 segments are from H1N1 Human influenza virus.

　　 The difference in the virus determines the difference in the vaccine. Most of the influenza vaccines are inactivated vaccines. The raw material is a large number of artificially cultivated influenza viruses that make them inactive. The vaccines are produced through strict production and verification processes. The inactivated vaccine in the COVID-19 vaccine has the same principle, and the raw material is artificially cultivated new coronavirus.

　　 Here comes the point: inactivated vaccines produced from two completely different viruses have no possibility of “sharing” at all.

　　The flu vaccine is less than the COVID-19? There may be 3 reasons

　　Influenza vaccination will also indirectly provide support for the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic. Why? Feng Luzhao, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College and executive vice president of the School of Mass Medicine and Public Health, gave three reasons.

“Influenza and COVID-19 are both respiratory infectious diseases. Their symptoms are very similar. There is no way to differentiate and diagnose in the early stage. You have to go to a medical institution for treatment. If there are patients with COVID-19 at the same time, it also increases the risk of contracting COVID-19.” Feng Luzhao said. From a perspective, flu vaccination can reduce the risk of getting COVID-19 infection in public places and medical institutions.

　　 In addition, if there are few patients with fever, relevant institutions do not need to deal with suspected cases of the COVID-19 and carry out corresponding management work, so in fact, it is to reduce the burden of medical institutions for treatment or hospitalization.

　　 In the absence of the COVID-19 epidemic in previous years, in winter and spring, medical institutions often operate at full capacity, so reducing the incidence of influenza has a good protective effect on the medical system.

　　 Early research also showed that influenza virus and new coronavirus have co-infection, and the synergy of the two parties will lead to an increase in the proportion of severe cases. Prevent influenza from the individual’s point of view, prevent the occurrence of co-infection, and reduce the risk of severe illness once infected.

　　Stroke the point! Influenza vaccination can reduce the risk of infection in medical institutions without being forced to go to the hospital; second, it can help maintain the smooth operation of the public health protection system and the medical system; and third, it can reduce the risk of infection in medical institutions. Just be afraid of anything” to prevent the co-infection of flu and COVID-19 from becoming severe.

　　The flu season is “warming up”, in fact, this trick works best

　　During the 2020 World Influenza Conference, infectious disease prevention and control experts brought a lot of new news and tips.

The small epidemics of other respiratory infectious diseases cannot be ignored. Wang Dayan said that some people caught colds around the National Day, but not all of them were flu. Some were caused by rhinovirus, and some were caused by bacteria.
Flu activity is currently relatively low. Wang Dayan said that the flu epidemic this year is currently at a low level. A single piece of data can give a more specific situation. Recently, influenza surveillance network laboratories in various places have tested more than 8,000 influenza-like samples every week, and only 3-5 have detected influenza viruses.
The flu season has not yet started, and good hygiene and social habits are still required. According to the experience of previous years, influenza activity generally starts to rise slowly in November, and there will be a significant increase in December. There will be a peak around January and then slowly decline.

“At present, influenza activity is relatively low. A very important reason is that everyone has done a good job of prevention and control.” Wang Dayan said, “Social vaccines (such as washing hands frequently, wearing masks, keeping distance)” and other measures are not only for influenza, but also for other respiratory infections. Disease prevention and control is also very effective.