Skip to main content

How often should you get a flu shot? - Melvin Sanicas

948,389 Views

20,597 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

All year long, researchers at hospitals around the world collect samples from flu patients and send them to top virology experts with one goal: to design the vaccine for the next flu season. But why do we need a new one every year? Vaccines for diseases like mumps and rubella offer a lifetime of protection with two shots early in life; what’s so special about the flu? Melvin Sanicas explains.

WatchThink Dig Deeper Discuss
Vaccination not only benefits the person getting the vaccine. It also helps protect other people in the community who may not be medically eligible for the shot by preventing those around them from carrying the virus—this is called __________.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Melvin Sanicas
  • Director Andrew Foerster
  • Script Editor Eleanor Nelsen
  • Composer Devin Polaski
  • Animator Andrew Foerster
  • Editor Andrew Foerster
  • Storyboard Artist Andrew Foerster
  • Illustrator Andrew Foerster
  • Senior Animator Andrew Foerster
  • Character Designer Andrew Foerster
  • Sound Designer Devin Polaski
  • Associate Producer Jessica Ruby
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Fact-Checker Francisco Diez

More from Getting Under Our Skin