The best date minimizes the burden left unprotected
2017/18 U.S. season · one illustrative protection curve
Vaccination timing and the total outpatient burden remaining
Vaccine protection
2-week response lag
Weekly share of seasonal outpatient burden
Before protection
Burden remaining
Week of the season
VACCINATION WEEK
of seasonal burden remains
Shaded area · before protection = 100%
Total burden remaining
Vaccination date
Smallest area in this example
The same epidemic.
A different vaccination date.
Compare the shaded areas.
Vaccination week
1 · September
2 · February
3 · Find minimum
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