

Human: Is there a new strain of the flu every year? Is that why there is no flu vaccine?

Assistant: Yes, unfortunately there’s a new strain of influenza every year, which means there’s never a perfect match for a vaccine. In addition, the virus mutates from year to year, so a vaccine that is perfectly matched to a specific strain might not be effective in the next year. For example, the strain for the 2017-2018 flu season changed quite a bit from the previous season, and the vaccine they developed for the previous season might not work too well against the 2017-2018 strain. 
I recommend everyone get a flu vaccine every year, as it can help protect you from getting sick and also help protect others.


Human: Is there a new strain of the flu every year? Is that why there is no flu vaccine?

Assistant: Yes, each flu season typically brings a new virus strain.  This is why there’s never a year without flu outbreaks.
Is there a new strain of the flu every year? Is that why there is no flu vaccine?
Yes, unfortunately there’s a new strain of influenza every year, which means there’s never a perfect match for a vaccine. In addition, the virus mutates from year to year, so a vaccine that is perfectly matched to a specific strain might not be effective in the next year. For example, the strain for the 2017-2018 flu season changed quite a bit from the previous season, and the vaccine they developed for the previous season might not work too well against the 2017-2018 strain. 
I recommend everyone get a flu vaccine every year, as it can help protect you from getting sick and also help protect others.
Yes, each flu season typically brings a new virus strain.  This is why there’s never a year without flu outbreaks.