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'Holy grail' of flu vaccinations?

'Holy grail' of flu vaccinations?

New research has found that exposure to rare and even deadly forms of influenza could be the key to creating a universal flu vaccine.

Experts consider it the holy grail of vaccines - a once-in-a-lifetime jab that could save countless lives.

If you had the flu jab, but still caught the flu, it could be because while Australia's flu vaccine is our best defence, it can be a bit hit and miss.

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The vaccine is an educated guess, based on whichever three strains caused the biggest problems during the northern hemisphere flu season.

Dr Alan Hampson, of the Influenza Specialist Group, said: “One of the greatest problem is really the unpredictability of influenza: it mutates quite rapidly."

What is needed, is an Universal Flu Vaccine, one that prevents all forms of the disease.

Dr Hampson added: “It's the holy grail of flu work, if you like."

Researchers believe they're getting close by vaccinating people against bird flu.

Both the H5N1 and H7N9 strains have caused serious, sometime fatal, infections in Asia. But the theory is exposure to bird flu triggers stronger immunity to all other strains of flu.

The key is in the structure of the virus. Protruding from the surface are copies of a protein called hemagglutinin. Each has a head and a stem. Current vaccines target the head but the new theory is to target the stem.

Unlike the head, the stem does not mutate as much and is less able to evade antibodies.

A US study found immune responses to the stem became four times stronger after exposure to bird flu.

Dr Hampson said: “You can't underestimate the importance of this research. Each year, influenza puts more than 18,000 Australians in hospital and costs our healthcare system $85 million."

It also causes around 1500 deaths, which is more than the annual road toll.

How practical are the findings?

The findings are promising. One problem is that the strongest immune response comes with the first bird flu vaccination and subsequent 'booster shots' actually produce a weaker effect.

In other words, the more you are exposed to bird flu, the less protection you get against other strains.

It could be a one-hit wonder. The question is, could one hit be enough for long term immunisation?
if so, it would be that 'holy grail'.

One flu shot, one size fits all. No need to come up with new vaccines every year and the threat of pandemic flu outbreaks would be greatly reduced.