Morning flu shot might be more effective than afternoon

Influenza is still a significant threat to public health and ways to minimize its impact are constantly being investigated. The results of a study carried out at the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom, implies that the time of day that a vaccine is given might alter how effective it is. The findings could have huge implications for at-risk populations. Although there are large-scale seasonal vaccination programs in many countries, worldwide, flu is still responsible for between 250,000-500,000 deaths per year. One of the most susceptible groups are individuals aged 65 and over. In the industrialized world, they account for the greatest number of hospitalizations and fatalities from flu. As we age, our immune system can struggle to produce the necessary levels of antibodies in response to a threat. This is also the case for vaccinations; in older individuals, the response to a vaccination does not always spur the immune system to produce enough protective...