During the COVID-19 pandemic, flu cases have dropped to historic lows. Experts attribute this
Two types of influenza viruses have not been found in anyduring the year throughout the world. Experts do not yet know whether they have gone extinct, but if so, it will be easier for doctors to select strains of influenza viruses for the seasonal vaccine.
Seasonal influenza is caused by two families of virusesinfluenza: influenza A and influenza B. Influenza A viruses are divided into "subtypes" based on two proteins on their surface known as hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), H1N1 and H3N2 are currently circulating in humans, and each of these subtypes is divided into subtypes.
Influenza B viruses, on the other hand, do not have subtypes but fall into two lineages known as B / Yamagata and B / Victoria.
One subtype of H3N2, known as 3c3.A, has not been detected since March 2020. According to the STAT, the same can be said for the B / Yamagata lineage.
Every year, scientists make a flu vaccine formonths before the actual start of the season for the spread of the virus, observing which strains are circulating around the world and then predicting which ones are likely to spread in the coming season. The reduced variety of influenza subtypes will result in the strains in the vaccine being matched to those in circulation.
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