Hope for a Universal Flu Vaccine in the Future - no more annual flu shots!

[prosciencemum]

Interesting read from the New York TImes: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/30/science/scientists-move-closer-to-a-long-lasting-flu-vaccine.html

It's about scientists working to develop a flu vaccine which works on the parts of the flu virus which don't change each season. If it could be devloped it would mean a lot less vaccinations to protect against flu, and the potential to have a vaccine which proactively works against major flu epidemics. 

[Mosaic]

It sounds like this might improve protection rates, too?

[prosciencemum]

I think that's right - and it would mean an end to concern over if the seasonal flu vaccine was protecting against the right strains of flu, as this would work by creating antibodies against the part of the flu virus which does not change quickly. 

I found it really interesting to see what researchers into vaccines are working on to improve vaccinations.