In a review article appearing in the New England Journal of Medicine, scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, examine research under way to address the limitations of currently available influenza vaccines and develop more efficient and reliable strategies to make vaccines to protect against seasonal as well as pandemic influenza.
Although licensed seasonal flu vaccines safely and effectively protect most people who receive them from illness and death, the degree of protection varies depending on how well the circulating virus strains and those in the vaccine match. A vaccine recipient's age and health status also can affect the effectiveness of influenza vaccination.
Although licensed seasonal flu vaccines safely and effectively protect most people who receive them from illness and death, the degree of protection varies depending on how well the circulating virus strains and those in the vaccine match. A vaccine recipient's age and health status also can affect the effectiveness of influenza vaccination.
Also under intense study is the ultimate goal, a so-called universal flu vaccine that would provide protection against multiple strains of influenza, reducing the need for yearly flu shots while simultaneously protecting against novel flu viruses that may arise in the future.
To further protect vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with underlying chronic diseases from seasonal influenza, as well as to quickly control the spread of potential pandemic influenza viruses, influenza vaccine makers of the future must employ novel production technologies, the authors note.
Journal Reference:
Linda C. Lambert, Ph.D., and Anthony S. Fauci, M.D. Influenza Vaccines for the Future. N Engl J Med, 2010; 363:2036-2044; November 18, 2010 DOI: 10.1056/ NEJMra1002842
http://www.sciencedaily.com
To further protect vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with underlying chronic diseases from seasonal influenza, as well as to quickly control the spread of potential pandemic influenza viruses, influenza vaccine makers of the future must employ novel production technologies, the authors note.
Journal Reference:
Linda C. Lambert, Ph.D., and Anthony S. Fauci, M.D. Influenza Vaccines for the Future. N Engl J Med, 2010; 363:2036-2044; November 18, 2010 DOI: 10.1056/ NEJMra1002842
http://www.sciencedaily.com