tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
A universal flu vaccine could be available as soon as 2014, if scientists have their way.
That goal has eluded researchers for years, because different strains of the flu virus circulate each season, forcing scientists to predict upcoming strains and patients to get a new vaccine every fall.
The efficacy of the vaccine varies from year to year, but it is usually between 30 and 60 percent effective, because there is no way to identify all possible strains, and because the strains that are prevalent when the vaccines are manufactured won't necessarily be prevalent when flu season rolls around.
A universal flu vaccine would train the immune system to recognize the basic elements that are common to all strains of the flu, which would give a higher protection rate and allow one vaccine to last for several years.
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http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/236...ne-influenza-h1n1-h5n1-bird-swine-strains.htm
That goal has eluded researchers for years, because different strains of the flu virus circulate each season, forcing scientists to predict upcoming strains and patients to get a new vaccine every fall.
The efficacy of the vaccine varies from year to year, but it is usually between 30 and 60 percent effective, because there is no way to identify all possible strains, and because the strains that are prevalent when the vaccines are manufactured won't necessarily be prevalent when flu season rolls around.
A universal flu vaccine would train the immune system to recognize the basic elements that are common to all strains of the flu, which would give a higher protection rate and allow one vaccine to last for several years.
..
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/236...ne-influenza-h1n1-h5n1-bird-swine-strains.htm