Friday, December 29, 2006

vaccine to prevent all strains of influenza

The vaccine to prevent every strain of flu The Daily Mail 12/29/06 "Described as the 'holy grail' of flu vaccines, it would protect against all strains of influenza A - the virus behind both bird flu and the nastiest outbreaks of winter flu...A similar universal flu vaccine, being developed by Swiss vaccine firm Cytos Biotechnology, could also be tested on people in 2007 - and the vaccines on the market in around five years... the vaccines would also be quicker and easier to make than the traditional jabs, meaning vast quantities could be stockpiled against a global outbreak of bird flu...Current flu vaccines focus on two proteins on the surface of the virus. However, these constantly mutate in a bid to fool the immune system, making it impossible for vaccine manufacturers to keep up with the creation of each new strain. The universal vaccines focus on a different protein called M2, which has barely changed during the last 100 years...initial course of two or three shots could provide long-lasting immunity, topped up with booster shots given every five to ten years..."

Here's hoping it works in people. The development will take 5yrs, but like the article mentions, if we need it sooner - bird flu - they'll release it sooner. This is unbelievably important. Regular flu kills between 250,000 and 500,000 world wide annually. Recent estimates show that bird flu might kill as many as 62 million worldwide.

DogVitals antioxidant supplement for your dogs health

No comments: