Can scientists develop an effective universal flu vaccine?

May 26, 2009 in Uncategorized by TechBriefs | 42 comments

This week’s question concerns flu vaccine. Recent swine flu outbreaks have heightened concerns about a possible epidemic, and renewed interest in developing a universal flu vaccine that would provide immunity against all types of flu. Proponents of the one-shot-fits-all vaccine say such a vaccine, while not totally preventing infection, would ease concerns about producing sufficient vaccine strains to combat seasonal flu outbreaks, and make flu immunization practical in countries unable to afford yearly flu vaccination efforts. Skeptics say a universal flu vaccine would have limited effectiveness against animal-derived viruses like swine flu, and would at best supplement existing seasonal flu vaccines. Would do you think? Can scientists develop an effective universal flu vaccine? Yes or no?

Vote here.

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May 26, 2009 at 11:14 am

Luis T

Luis T’s avatar

Practical? Yes. Possible? Yes. Improbable? Most likely. Having a Flu vaccine against all strains means that a vaccine must be developed that can mutate to acommodate its use.

This also means that the strain or mutation has higher chances of failing and creating itself into a super Flu. Then what? By keeping the various flu vaccines separated from each other we are maintaing a control on the flu. Fickle? Maybe, but it remains a control. We can stop the flu.

Besides, a cure all just means another patent fight for the pharmaceutical world, and instead of a $25 shot, you will end up paying $50 or more dollars. Meds are costly enough as it is…

May 26, 2009 at 11:32 am

Lee K

Lee K’s avatar

So long as there is more money to be made treating sick people than preventing diseases in the first place, there will likely NEVER be another “cure” or universal vaccine for any chronic or potentially life threatening acute illness.

May 26, 2009 at 11:40 am

George

George’s avatar

Seasonal flu virus sheath protein complements are variable based on mutation. Current vaccines are based on existing virus proteins under the assumption that subsequent mutations will employ immune system accessible proteins common to the earlier models. The susceptibility of next year’s model is based on its commonality with its predecessor viruses. New viruses that arise will not necessarily utilize similar protein suites and will come in “under the radar”, unaffected by immunization. Animal based influenza viruses have the possibility of presenting novel protein complements of a relatively unpredictable nature. The determination of a universal influenza signature protein or a morphologically distinct protein aggregation in non-human-originating viruses could promote the development of broad spectrum vaccines but to claim universality would be a considerable stretch beyond that.

May 26, 2009 at 11:46 am

Ed Vance

Ed Vance’s avatar

All flu virus strains have “hot” zones that mutate frequently, and “cold” zones that rarely mutate. If a single vaccine can be made that causes an immune response to unique proteins on a “cold” zone of the flu virus, then all strains that share the same “cold” zone protein will be attacked, and a new flu vaccine will be needed only when that “cold” zone mutates.

May 26, 2009 at 2:36 pm

Frank

Frank’s avatar

If they can discover a genetic or molecular commonalality between the virusis, I think a common vaccine can be developed; not only for Flu, but perhaps for all virusis.