New flu vaccine hope
Tues April 28th, 2009
Vaccine experts gathered for a major conference yesterday as fear of swine flu swept the world - and offered hope of a universal flu vaccine.
Current flu vaccines seek to predict the strains of flu that will be at large - and unexpected new strains can leave them ineffective.
Yesterday's conference heard the first steps had been taken towards a universial vaccine - which would reinforce seasonal vaccines.
Some 377 healthy adults have already tested a universal vaccine, which showed early signs of working, the National Foundation for Infectious Disease Conference for Vaccine Research in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, heard.
The volunteers received low doses of vaccine and showed signs of an immune system response.
Researcher Dr Robert Belshe, of the St Louis University, USA, said: "This is a significant first step in developing a universal vaccine to help protect against pandemic influenza.
"Novel vaccines, capable of inducing long-lasting, broad immunity against divergent strains, including potential pandemic viruses, are highly desirable."
The vaccine, known as Bivalent Influenza Peptide Conjugate Vaccine (BIPCV), is made with proteins from strains of influenza A and B.
Tags: Flu & Viruses | World Health | North America