What is the difference between the Moderna vaccine and the influenza vaccine?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have been considering getting vaccinated and have heard about Moderna and influenza vaccines. Can you explain the differences between the Moderna vaccine and the influenza vaccine? What are the specific benefits of each, and how do they work to protect against their respective illnesses? Are there any side effects or risks associated with these vaccines? How effective are they, and what is the recommended schedule for receiving them? Are there any particular considerations or recommendations for this?

Thanks.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

The Moderna vaccine is an mRNA vaccine. It contains a small piece of the SARS-CoV-2 virus’s mRNA, which instructs cells to produce the spike protein found on the surface of the virus. The immune system recognizes this spike protein as foreign and produces antibodies and T-cells to fight the virus if the person is exposed in the future. Provides strong protection against COVID-19, including severe disease, hospitalization, and death. Helps reduce the spread of the virus in the community. Pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea. Highly effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 and severe outcomes. Effectiveness may wane over time, and booster doses are recommended to maintain protection. The influenza vaccine can be an inactivated (killed) virus or a live attenuated (weakened) virus.

It stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies against the influenza viruses included in the vaccine.
The composition of the vaccine is updated annually to match circulating strains.
It reduces the risk of flu illness, hospitalization, and death.
It protects elderly, young children, and those with chronic health conditions.
It contributes to herd immunity, reducing the overall spread of influenza.
It causes Soreness at the injection site, low-grade fever, and muscle aches.
It varies from year to year depending on the match between the vaccine strains and circulating strains.
It generally reduces the risk of flu illness by 40 to 60 % when well-matched.
Patient with a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome should consult their doctor.

I hope this information will help you.

Thanks.