Which vaccine is recommended annually for adults?

Which vaccine is recommended annually for adults?

• A. The measles vaccine
• B. The influenza vaccine
• C. The hepatitis B vaccine
• D. The tetanus vaccine

Answer: (B)

The influenza vaccine is recommended annually for adults due to the seasonal nature of the flu virus. Each year, the influenza vaccine is updated to protect against the most common strains of the virus predicted to circulate during the upcoming flu season. This is essential because the influenza virus mutates frequently, meaning that immunity developed from previous flu vaccinations or infections may not be effective against new strains. Regular annual vaccination helps to maintain immunity within the population, reducing the overall incidence of the flu and its associated complications, particularly for higher-risk groups such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions. In contrast, the other vaccines listed serve different purposes and schedules. The measles vaccine is not given annually but is typically administered in childhood as part of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine series. The hepatitis B vaccine is typically given as a series of shots during early life or to individuals at higher risk, not on an annual basis. The tetanus vaccine is usually administered every 10 years, or after a potential exposure, rather than annually. Thus, the influenza vaccine stands out as the only one among the options that is recommended for annual administration.

The influenza vaccine is recommended annually for adults due to the seasonal nature of the flu virus. Each year, the influenza vaccine is updated to protect against the most common strains of the virus predicted to circulate during the upcoming flu season. This is essential because the influenza virus mutates frequently, meaning that immunity developed from previous flu vaccinations or infections may not be effective against new strains. Regular annual vaccination helps to maintain immunity within the population, reducing the overall incidence of the flu and its associated complications, particularly for higher-risk groups such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.

In contrast, the other vaccines listed serve different purposes and schedules. The measles vaccine is not given annually but is typically administered in childhood as part of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine series. The hepatitis B vaccine is typically given as a series of shots during early life or to individuals at higher risk, not on an annual basis. The tetanus vaccine is usually administered every 10 years, or after a potential exposure, rather than annually. Thus, the influenza vaccine stands out as the only one among the options that is recommended for annual administration.