The immune system fights off the flu in different ways. One way is by making antibodies (immune proteins) that recognize the flu virus and attack it. Another way is by activating certain white blood cells to fight the virus; this is called “cell-mediated immunity.” Since cell-mediated responses to the influenza vaccine also influence how well the vaccine will work, it is important to understand how lupus may affect the body’s cell-mediated response to the vaccine.
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