How long will the influenza vaccination offer protection?
It takes about 2 weeks after influenza vaccinations for a person to develop protection against influenza infection. It is therefore important to plan a vaccination program before there is an increased probability of infection from contact with others. The amount of antibodies in the body is greatest 1 or 2 months after influenza vaccinations and then gradually declines.
It is recommended that vaccines to be used in the 2010 season (southern hemisphere winter) contain the following:
- an A/California / 7 / 2009 (H1N1) - like virus,
- an A/Perth / 16 / 2009 (H3N2) - like virus,
- a B/Brisbane / 60 / 2008 - like virus.