ryo

"I got the shot, but I still got the flu..."When faced with this situation, you might feel disappointed and think, "Was the vaccine pointless?" However, the 2025 medical data shows that 99.9% of people who contract the flu after vaccination only experience symptoms at the "level of a mild cold." This is the "true value" of the influenza vaccine.The vaccine is not a medication that reduces infection to zero. Its greatest effect is to prevent severe illness and turn what would have been a hellish week into a mild two to three days.

The influenza vaccine does not confer equal protection to everyone. Latest data shows that individuals who experience "immunosenescence" (immune aging), particularly those aged 80 and over, as well as those taking immunosuppressants or suffering from severe obesity, may not achieve the expected antibody levels from standard vaccines, leading to a significant drop in preventative effectiveness.As of 2025, the reason people feel the vaccine "doesn't work" is often the combination of "Ages 80+ + Standard Vaccine."

The perception that "The flu shot is pointless because I get the flu even when I get vaccinated"—misunderstands the vaccine's "true value."The latest 2025 data reveals that the vaccine's effect is not merely about "reducing infection to zero," but about "making the illness extremely mild if contracted, thus minimizing the damage to your life."The effectiveness in preventing severe illness is particularly high, ranging from 70% to 95% across all age groups. The difference between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals is stark: a 10-fold difference in the probability of hospitalization for seniors, and a 20 to 30-fold difference in the chance of being confined to bed with a high fever for five days. Furthermore, the introduction of highly effective vaccines like Fluad® (for the elderly) and the Recombinant Vaccine this year means that those aged 65 and over can expect the highest level of prevention ever recorded.

The belief that "I have an egg allergy, so I can't get the flu shot" is now completely outdated information.Conventional influenza vaccines were manufactured using chicken eggs. However, due to advances in purification technology and the introduction of the "Recombinant HA Vaccine (Supemtek®)" debuting in Japan in 2025, almost everyone with an allergy can now be safely vaccinated.The completely egg-free recombinant vaccine is a long-awaited option, especially for those with severe egg allergies (history of anaphylaxis). Furthermore, people with gelatin or latex allergies can also avoid risk with the recombinant vaccine.

One of the biggest reasons people hesitate to get the influenza vaccine may be anxiety over "severe side effects." Serious adverse reactions like anaphylaxis, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), and Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM)—which sound alarming—do indeed exist.However, the latest data from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) and clinical practice as of 2025 demonstrates that the frequency of these occurrences is extremely rare. Anaphylaxis occurs in only 1 to 2 people per million—a rate less than 1/10th the chance of dying in a plane crash and less than 1/1000th the chance of dying in a traffic accident.

When getting the influenza vaccine, the most common concern is the "side effects," particularly pain at the injection site and fever. Knowing the symptoms and duration of side effects beforehand can help you approach vaccination with peace of mind.Based on actual 2025 data, nearly 80% of recipients experience "injection site pain," but this usually subsides within 1 to 3 days. Systemic side effects (malaise, mild fever) occur in about 10% to 25% of people, but the duration is short (1 to 2 days) and is far milder than the high fever from actual influenza (39–40°C lasting 5 days).

When people think of the influenza vaccine, most picture the "domestic" standard vaccine. However, as of 2025, high-efficacy imported vaccines like the "High-Dose Fluad®" and the "Recombinant Vaccine" are rapidly becoming common in Japan.The biggest difference between domestic and imported vaccines is the amount of antigen and the presence of an adjuvant (immune-enhancing agent). Imported vaccines, especially Fluad®, enhance these components, creating a significant difference in preventative effect compared to standard domestic vaccines, particularly in preventing hospitalization among the elderly.

For seniors aged 65 and over, the influenza vaccine is the most important tool for protecting their lives.As of 2025, the most highly recommended option for this group is "Fluad®," which contains four times the antigen volume of a standard vaccine and includes the immune-boosting agent "adjuvant (MF59)." Large-scale international studies have confirmed that Fluad® has overwhelming effectiveness compared to the standard vaccine, with an illness prevention rate that is 1.5 to 2 times higher and a hospitalization prevention rate of approximately 70% to 90%.Crucially, while Fluad® is expensive, most local municipalities offer subsidies, meaning the actual out-of-pocket cost is often comparable to that of a standard vaccine.

Every year when you go for your flu shot, you might wonder, "Is the standard vaccine good enough?"Influenza vaccines in Japan are evolving. Specifically, the "High-Dose Vaccine (Fluad®)" exclusively for those aged 65 and over has four times the antigen volume and significantly better effectiveness. Furthermore, the "Recombinant Vaccine" is debuting in Japan for the first time for adults aged 18 and older, greatly expanding the options for vaccination.

"If I get it every year and still catch the flu, is it pointless?" "Do healthy people need the shot?"Deciding whether or not to get the influenza vaccine is a perennial question. However, based on 2025 data, the vaccine's greatest value is clearly in "preventing severe illness" rather than just "preventing infection."For the elderly, pregnant individuals, and those with underlying conditions, it is an essential preventative measure—an "absolute must-do"—that significantly reduces the risk of hospitalization and death. Even for healthy adults and children, it offers major benefits in preventing absences from work or school closures, and stopping the spread of infection to family members.