Breakthrough In Flu Vaccine

Scientists have developed a flu vaccine that works against more than one strain of influenza.

20:07 01 September 2015

Scientists have made a breakthrough after have successfully developed a flu vaccine that works against more than one strain of influenza virus.

 

Currently, seasonal vaccines are designed against specific viral strains are not ineffective if the specific strain they are designed for mutates. This happened last year when the vaccine used in anticipation of the influenza season protected only three per cent of those who were inoculated instead of a more typical 50per cent.

 

Gary Nabel and Barney Graham of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in Bethesda, Maryland, said: “It’s really moving us in the direction of extending the breadth of protection of an influenza vaccine. We hope eventually to protect against any flu viruses that we encounter – and this is a potential step in that direction,”

 

“A universal vaccine is an awfully grand ambition – that is to protect against all flu viruses to a high degree. But if we can improve current vaccines by giving them broader protection, then that would be good,”

 

Professor Sarah Gilbert of Oxford University said: “This is an exciting development, but the new vaccines now need to be tested in clinical trials to see how well they work in humans. This will be the next stage of research, which will take several years. So we are still some way from having better flu vaccines for humans.”