Can a general flu vaccine using a single shot get one protected forever and even be used to combat COVID-19? This, according to a science report, would be a "dream-come-true" concerning influenza vaccinations.
So far, influenza vaccination has not provided lasting protection. The reason for this is that influenza viruses spread very fast.
According to a ScienceTechDaily report, each year, new virus strains occur against which previous vaccinations give only limited or no protection at all.
To avoid the need of vaccinating against flu each year, a network of research comprising the University of Konstanz, the University of Tübingen and Technische Universitat Dresden, is testing a method as an alternative to vaccination.
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New Vaccination Substitute Method
The said new method aims at a wide-ranging protection from all known influenza mutations and is a potential candidate for getting lasting immunity.
Contrary to the present flu vaccinations, the new approach does not stimulate the production or generation of new antibodies against specific influenza variants but triggers the T-lymphocytes or white blood cells to begin a general immune response against influenza viruses.
A similar report from Koliasa specified that The Konstanz research team headed by Professor Marcus Groettrup, an immunologist, is testing the new vaccination method for influenza in a pre-clinical test to validate and deepen the results of previous initial research, which proved that such a method is effective in principle.
The said pre-clinical test is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research with a roughly US$1.4 million allotment.
The researchers said that they have quite promising specifications that the same method for vaccination can also be applied to the coronavirus, specifically, today's killer disease, COVID-19, and other types of viruses.
This approach could be a method to generate general immunity as protection from viral strains which include all their mutations.
In this research on extending the vaccination to COVID-19 infection, the researchers have already attained the initial successes in partnership with companies, specifically the Konstanz-based Trenzyme and Dresden-based Riboxx.
Why Current Flu Vaccines Have Limited Protection
Each year, influenza viruses are causing roughly three to five million cases of severe influenza globally. This results in about 250,000 to 500,000 deaths specifically among small children and older adults. Particularly in Germany, influenza vaccines are administered yearly.
As these viruses transmute, the vaccine should be newly composed every autumn, targeting the viral variants that are predicted to transmit among the population during winter. This, of course. is quite time-consuming and not to mention, costly.
Furthermore, it is quite a challenge to motivate a huge proportion of the population to get vaccinated each year, explained Groettrup.
Presently, influenza vaccines primarily stimulate the generation of antibodies against influenza viruses. Such antibodies are tailor-made for certain strains of influenza.
However, the expert elaborated, if new mutations appear, the key might not fit anymore, and the antibodies are not effective anymore, as well.
This means that if unpredicted strains arise, the seasonal influenza vaccine might not have the ability to protect from the infections.
Spray Vaccine
With this new approach, the vaccines are introduced into the body through microspheres. The study investigators described this as totally recyclable, circular particles with a size similar to a small cell that can be used as a 'transport container' for the virus antigen, as well as immunostimulating substances.
Lastly, these shots would be produced through spray and eventually it might be probable to have them administered through nasal spray, rather than injections for immunization.
Related information on flu vaccination is shown on SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital's YouTube video below:
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