How quickly does the influenza virus mutate?
The proteins are coded for by the RNA so that the changes that we see in the proteins are due to the changes in the RNA itself. Influenza viruses do mutate quickly and this is why a new human flu vaccine must be developed each year. The decision on which vaccines to use is based on epidemiological studies which identify the circulating influenza viruses. What you are saying is correct though. Some people may not be fully protected by the vaccine because the virus they are infected with has already mutated. The flu vaccine is produced in chicken eggs and can take up to a month to produce and cross-check. Hope this helps ! If you have more questions you can ask me through my website http://www.viciousviruses.
