Researchers have to design a new flu vaccine every year. Because there are so many types of influenza, a virus that can mutate and evolve, the seasonal vaccine is meant to target the viral strain that’s expected to be the most active. While that approach often works, it’s not without problems, and scientists have been trying to create a flu vaccine that is universally effective against all flu strains.
Reporting in Science, an international team of investigators has developed a universal flu vaccine that was successful in a mouse model. It was generated using a harmless virus, and four llama antibodies. More testing will be necessary, but this vaccine shows promise.
Source: Science