Time: 2024-07-20
The development of a universal Influenza vaccine has been a long - standing goal in the scientific community . Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have made significant progress in this area , with the potential for a " one and done " vaccine that could provide lifetime immunity against evolving flu viruses . The study , published in Nature Communications , tested a vaccine platform using the 1918 influenza virus to target a part of the virus that remains stable over time , unlike the continually mutating spike proteins.
Jonah Sacha , Ph.D. , a senior co - author of the study , expressed optimism about the potential timeline for a universal influenza vaccine , estimating that it could be available within five years . The research involved testing the vaccine on nonhuman primates exposed to the avian H5N1 influenza virus , a highly severe virus with pandemic potential . The results showed that six out of 11 vaccinated primates survived exposure to the virus , while the control group succumbed to the disease.
The innovative approach used in the study involves a vaccine platform originally developed to combat HIV , utilizing a harmless herpes virus to deliver genetic material from the flu virus . This method targets specific immune cells in the lungs , known as effector memory T cells , which recognize the core of the virus that remains unchanged over time . The success of the vaccine against a century - old virus template raises hopes for developing a protective vaccine against H5N1 in humans.
The researchers believe that this vaccine technology could be applied to other mutating viruses , including SARS - CoV-2 , the virus responsible for COVID-19 . By targeting the internal structural proteins of the virus , the vaccine platform offers a promising strategy for generating long - lasting immunity against a wide range of viral variants . The study 's findings point towards the possibility of a one - and - done shot for influenza within the next decade.
The development of a universal flu vaccine represents a significant advancement in infectious disease research . The efficacy of the vaccine platform against evolving viruses demonstrates the potential for a paradigm shift in how we approach the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases . With ongoing support from organizations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the National Institutes of Health , the future of universal flu vaccines looks promising , with the potential to revolutionize public health measures worldwide.
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