Final answer:
Influenza vaccine shipping containers typically include temperature monitoring devices. New vaccines are developed annually to target evolving influenza strains effectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
Each influenza vaccine shipping container typically includes temperature monitoring devices to ensure the vaccine is kept at the correct temperature during transit. This is critical as improper storage can render vaccines ineffective. The influenza vaccine, once prepared using virus particles from chicken eggs and inactivated for safety, undergoes purification before being packaged for administration through injection. It is essential that the vaccines remain within a specific temperature range to maintain their integrity and efficacy.
New influenza vaccines must be developed each year because of the virus's ability to mutate and evolve, leading to different strains that may not be effectively targeted by the previous year's vaccine. Health authorities make annual recommendations for the vaccine's composition based on prevalent strains to maximize the vaccine's effectiveness. This constant updating of the vaccine formulation is why the annual flu shot is so important.