Scientists have made a breakthrough in the development of a vaccine for 20 types of flu, which they say could stop another pandemic.
The vaccine uses the same messenger-ribonucleic-acid (mRNA) technology as successful COVID-19 vaccines. The new vaccine triggered high levels of antibodies, in tests on ferrets and mice, that could fight a broad range.
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‘The investigators have used the same mRNA technology that was so successful in the rapid development of several of the COVID-19 vaccines, to produce a vaccine that has the potential to protect against all 20 of the different ‘flu virus lineages. This would not be possible using the conventional protein vaccines in current use One of the main problems with those vaccines is the need to adapt them each year to the particular viruses expected to be circulating,’ said Dr Andrew Freedman, Reader in Infectious Diseases and Honorary Consultant Physician, Cardiff University.
‘This vaccine has only been tested in animals to date & it will be important to investigate its safety and efficacy in humans. However, it does seem a very promising approach to the goal of producing a universal ‘flu vaccine as well as vaccines that protect against multiple members of other viral families such as rhino- and corona- viruses.’
The news comes as NHS England has announced that hundreds of beds are being taken up by flu patients every day ahead of winter. The first weekly winter update shows there were an average of 344 patients a day with flu in hospital last week, more than 10 times the number seen at the beginning of December last year (31).
Published earlier than in recent years, the weekly data shows that more than 19 in 20 adult general and acute beds were occupied in NHS hospitals over the last week, with occupancy levels at 95% for adult general and acute beds and 80% for adult critical care. It follows a warning from clinical leaders that the NHS is facing the threat of a ‘tripledemic’ of covid, flu and record demand on urgent and emergency services.
‘The first weekly data this year shows the considerable pressure faced by staff before we enter what is likely to be the NHS’s most challenging winter ever,’ said Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS National Medical Director.
‘The figures also show that flu is unfortunately already with us and so the concerns that we had about the threat of a ‘tripledemic’ are very real. It has never been more important to get protected against the viruses ahead of winter so please book in for your jab if you are eligible if not already done so.’