The Food and Drug Administration will meet later this week to weigh a proposal to treat COVID-19 vaccines like the annual flu shot, simplifying the process for many Americans.
The annual flu shot, also known as the influenza vaccine, is a vaccine that is administered once a year to protect against the flu (influenza) virus. The vaccine is typically given in the form of an injection, and it works by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies against specific strains of the flu virus. The specific strains of the flu virus that are included in the vaccine are chosen by the World Health Organization (WHO) each year based on the most likely strains to circulate during the upcoming flu season. It is recommended for many people especially for those who are at high risk of complications from the flu such as young children, elderly people, and people with certain medical conditions.