9/14/2008 PERMALINK
New vaccine works for all types of flu and lasts for many years
Existing flu vaccines work by inducing protective antibodies to proteins on the outer surface of the influenza virus, so they are only effective against certain strains of flu and new formulations must be developed every year. Dr Sarah Gilbert of the Jenner Institute, University of Oxford is taking a new approach. She has developed a novel vaccine that targets internal proteins essential to the flu virus that change very little over time or between strains. 'By targeting the internal proteins of the virus, we can come up with a universal flu jab (injection),' explains Dr Gilbert. 'The same vaccine would work against all seasonal flu and protect against bird flu.' Such a universal vaccine would not change from year to year, removing the need for annual immunizations ... more