Flu Vaccination – Quadrivalent vs. Trivalent

The flu is a potentially serious illness that affects millions of people every year from late fall until spring, often causing those who become infected to miss school or work or even be hospitalized. The best way to protect against the flu is by receiving the flu vaccination every year, but there are actually two types of flu immunizations: trivalent and quadrivalent.

Trivalent

The trivalent vaccine protects against three strains of the flu; these include two strains of influenza A and one of influenza B. The B strain included is based on the strain that researchers expect to be the most widespread each year.

Quadrivalent

However, MercyCare Business Health Solutions offers the quadrivalent flu vaccination. This form of the vaccination offers the same benefits as the trivalent with the addition of another strain; it includes a total of four strains of the flu virus: two strains of influenza A and two strains of influenza B.

Why Get a Flu Shot?

Getting vaccinated from the flu not only protects you, but also guards the people around you who are more vulnerable to becoming seriously ill from the flu – such as babies, young children, people with chronic health conditions and older people. Because the vaccination takes about two weeks to take full effect, the Centers for Disease Control & Infection (CDC) recommends that you receive the vaccination early in the fall, before the flu season begins. While getting vaccinated later is still beneficial, plan to schedule your flu shot clinic with Mercy Business Health Solutions before late October.

To schedule your on-site flu shot clinic, contact MercyCare Business Health Solutions at (319) 558-0311 or fill out a request form.