British researchers have reported they are one step closer in developing a universal flu vaccine that could be protect against every strain of the virus.
Existing flu vaccines can only guard against a few kinds of the flu and need to be administered annually before flu season. While the universal vaccine will require more than one initial dose, Sarah Gilbert, the lead researcher into the issue at the University of Oxford, said patients will only need occasional boosters to maintain the effects of the inoculation.
Because the vaccine would require fewer doses, Nurse.com reports there would be plenty available in the case of a influenza pandemic, such as the swine flu outbreak that occurred in 2009.
Gilbert told British newspaper the Guardian that Oxford is conducting a trial with 22 participants to see how they respond to the medication. While the results are not ready for publication, Gilbert said tests indicate those who received the vaccine are showing more resistance to the virus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 5 to 20 percent of Americans are infected with seasonal influenza each year, while approximately 200,000 people are hospitalized with related complications. This is why it’s best to make sure you have adequate health insurance coverage.
