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?
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