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Potential Universal Flu Vaccine in Clinical Trial
The United States National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced this week that it has begun Phase I clinical trials for a possible universal flu vaccine. This new vaccine could bring us one major step closer to ending the seasonal flu scourge. The safety and immune response of the experimental shot will be compared to the typical annual flu vaccine used universally every year against seasonal influenza.
NIH Developed mRNA-Based Vaccine
The NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases’ (NIAID) Vaccine Research Center has developed the candidate vaccine. It is an mRNA-based vaccine, much like the first generation of COVID-19 vaccines. The NIH is conducting the trial in conjunction with Duke University. They plan to enroll up to 50 healthy volunteers between the ages of 18 and 49.
Optimizing the Vaccine Dosage
The volunteers will be divided into several groups. Three groups will receive one of three dosages of the vaccine, in order to figure out an optimal dose. Once that is determined, a fourth group will be given this dose. A fifth group will act as a sort of control and will be given the standard seasonal flu vaccine, which provides protection against the four strains predicted to be in circulation during the current season. Following vaccination, the volunteers will be monitored for up to a year.
A Solution for the Annual Flu Problem
Each year in the US, seasonal flu threatens public health. Before the onset of COVID-19, it was often the most deadly infectious disease seen annually in the country. From 2010 to 2020, it is estimated to have killed between 12,000 to 52,000 people and hospitalized between 140,000 to 710,000. The seasonal flu vaccine does prevent many of these flu-related illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths. But its effectiveness can vary widely from year to year.
Depending on how accurately scientists have predicted the upcoming season’s circulating strains, the vaccine’s effectiveness can vary widely from year to year. Since the influenza virus quickly mutates, any protection it provides is temporary and requires renewed vaccination annually. A universal flu vaccine, capable of inducing a sustained and broad immune response to current and future flu strains, is, therefore, a coveted goal in medicine.
The Importance of a Universal Flu Vaccine
Acting NIAID Director Hugh Auchincloss stated, “A universal influenza vaccine would be a major public health achievement and could eliminate the need for both annual development of seasonal influenza vaccines, as well as the need for patients to get a flu shot each year. Moreover, some strains of influenza virus have significant pandemic potential. A universal flu vaccine could serve as an important line of defense against the spread of a future flu pandemic.”
Potential Availability
It may take years for any universal flu vaccine currently in development to reach the public even if successful. However, in the best-case scenario, we may have several vaccines to choose from. In April, the Vaccine Research Center reported encouraging Phase I results from a trial of a similar candidate vaccine that uses non-mRNA technology. Another NIH-led trial began last year of a different experimental flu vaccine.
FAQ
What is the potential universal flu vaccine?
The United States National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced this week that it has begun Phase I clinical trials for a possible universal flu vaccine. This new vaccine could bring us one major step closer to ending the seasonal flu scourge.
How is the vaccine developed?
The candidate vaccine was developed by researchers at the NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases’ (NIAID) Vaccine Research Center. It is an mRNA-based vaccine.
How is the vaccine tested?
The safety and immune response of the experimental shot will be compared to the typical annual flu vaccine used universally every year against seasonal influenza in a Phase I clinical trial. Volunteers will be divided into several groups and monitored after vaccination.
What is the importance of a universal flu vaccine?
A universal flu vaccine is necessary as the influenza virus quickly mutates, and any protection offered by the current seasonal flu vaccine is temporary, requiring annual vaccinations. A universal flu vaccine, capable of inducing a sustained and broad immune response to current and future flu strains, is, therefore, a coveted goal in medicine. It could eliminate the need for both the annual development of seasonal influenza vaccines and the annual flu shots for patients while reducing the risk of future flu pandemics.
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