New Delhi, May 13
US researchers have developed a novel vaccine that protects against H1N1 swine flu and can also protect against influenza in humans and birds.
The vaccine strategy developed and tested by researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the US can also eliminate the need for annual flu shots.
"This research sets the stage for developing universal influenza vaccines, so people won't have to go to the doctor and get a flu shot every year," said virologist Eric Weaver at the varsity.
"This vaccine will protect you against the different strains that are out there," Weaver said.
In the study, published in Nature Communications, swine vaccinated with the immunogens exhibited no signs of illness after being exposed to a commonly circulating flu strain. They also developed antibodies against a multitude of viruses from several decades and multiple species; and maintained their immune response throughout the six-month longitudinal study.
Post-experiment regression analysis indicated that the immunity would not dissipate for a decade, Weaver said.