Universal flu vaccine

Universal flu vaccine that protects against all strains of virus is 'closer to reality', as new drug is set to enter first clinical trials

A universal flu vaccine is one step 'closer to reality' scientists have said, revealing a new drug is set to start clinical trials later this year.

The vaccine, which works against all flu viruses, could provide protection for at least 20 years, say experts at Mount Sinai Health System.

Each year the flu vaccine is designed to protect people against the most virulent strains of the illness circulating at the time.

But no vaccine exists that can protect people from every strain, as well as new emerging forms of flu.


This year's flu vaccine has only been found to be 33 per cent effective, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Since the jab went into production - a process that has to start months before the flu season - the virus is thought to have shifted from its previous form, reducing the vaccine's ability to fight the illness.

The CDC said the country is facing widespread high flu activity across 43 states.



It comes amid fears of a flu epidemic in the US and UK as figures reveal a surge in the number of people suffering flu this winter














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It comes amid fears of a flu epidemic in the US and UK as figures reveal a surge in the number of people suffering flu this winter

The particularly virulent strain has so far claimed the lives of 26 children.

Dr William Schaffner, chairman of Preventive Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, said: 'A universal vaccine is the Holy Grail and the prospects of what this could do for medicine is staggering.'

He described the flu virus as a sphere with 'a bunch of lollipops on stems sticking out of it'.

The lollipops change year to year, bringing different flu viruses, but the stem remains the same.

He said a universal vaccine aims to attack the stem portion of the virus, eliminating all strains of the illness.




Dr Palese, added: 'We really hope it will be effective on humans, but of course the jury is still out.'



The vaccine is set to enter clinical trials this year.

It comes as experts said the UK could be heading for a flu epidemic this winter, with the number affected at its highest level for three years.

Last week doctors reported a 'significant rise' in the number of hospital admissions, while Flusurvey, a European-wide monitoring system, says reported cases across all age groups has doubled in seven days - a much bigger leap compared with the same time last year.

The problem is being blamed on the nature of this particular flu virus and the fact it has mutated.

The jab is designed to prevent the most widespread flu virus, known as H3N2. However, the mutations of the virus appear resistant to it.

In hospitals, around 20 per cent of samples taken from people with flu and tested by Public Health England have been found to be 'drifted' strains - or mutations - of H3N2.

This rate of mutation is 10 times higher than normal.




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