This biomarker set was composed of 17–20 genes (Irf7, Lgals9, Lgalsbp3, Cxcl11, Timp1, Tap2, Psmb9, Psme1, Tapbp, C2, Csf1, Mx2, Zbp1, Ifrd1, Trafd1, Cxcl9, β2m, Npc1, Ngfr and Ifi47), which were significantly and particularly overexpressed in rat lungs after vaccination with a whole-virion-particle inactivated influenza vaccine. Here, IRF7 is linked to influenza.