The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has commenced a phase one clinical trial of a flu vaccine that promises to offer long-lasting protection against all known strains of the virus. At present, flu vaccines are reformulated every year to match the most prevalent strains, resulting in varying efficacy rates. Previous clinical trials of a similar vaccine induced long-term immunity in recipients, with neutralising antibodies against influenza viruses that lasted over a year. The new trial will use 50 healthy volunteers aged between 18 and 49 who will receive the vaccine developed by the NIH, as well as a quadrivalent flu vaccine for comparison. Three groups of ten individuals will receive different doses, while ten more people will be vaccinated subsequently. The mRNA technology used in the study has enjoyed success in cancer treatment research. The vaccine targets a highly-conserved portion of the Ha protein’s stem that doesn’t evolve as quickly as other segments, allowing it to offer a broader range of protection against influenza viruses. The phase one clinical trial will gauge the safety and immune response of the vaccine and the results could eventually lead to a universal flu vaccine that eliminates the annual need for developing seasonal flu vaccines, saving lives and resources.
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