New H1N1 Vaccine Being Developed
by Karen Lachica in Diseases on Jan 13, 2011
The United States researchers suggest that the H1N1 swine flu pandemic last winter offers clues on the creation or development of a vaccine that can protect people against multiple strains of influenza. The researchers were from the University of Chicago and Emory University in Atlanta.
They have found out that those who were diagnosed with swine flu last year and later on recovered from the virus had a special immune response. They had produced antibodies that protect against a wide variety of flu strains. Further, the researchers explained that the virus matched typical influenza strains more on the components that are vitality of the virus’ function, and that the immune response to those components overlapped prior influenza exposures.
With this finding, the research team is suggesting the creation of a vaccine that triggers an immune response against the critical flu virus components. This vaccine could “eliminate the need to predict seasonal flu strains and quickly mass-produce a vaccine” each year.
According to Patrick Wilson, an assistant professor of medicine from the University of Chicago shared, “the finding is something like the Holy Grail for flu vaccine research.” He further explained, “It demonstrates how to make a single vaccine that could potentially provide immunity to all influenza. The surprise was that such a very difficult influenza strain, as opposed to the common strains, could lead us to something so widely applicable.”
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