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Progress Reported on Universal Flu Vaccines

posted by CoolHand on Tuesday August 25 2015, @10:05AM   
from the super-flu-ent-in-vaccines dept.

takyon writes:

Two separate U.S. teams have reportedly made progress on creating a universal influenza vaccine, according to the BBC:

Researchers say they are closer to developing a vaccine to give life-long protection against any type of flu, after promising trials in animals. Two separate US teams have found success with an approach that homes in on a stable part of the flu virus. That should remove the problem with current flu vaccines which must be given anew each year because they focus on the mutating part of the virus.

The proof-of-concept work is published in Science journal and Nature Medicine [both paywalled]. Studies are now needed in humans to confirm that the method will work in man.

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Original Submission

• Re: Flu shots will become mandatory Re: Flu shots will become mandatory (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 25 2015, @10:08PM

  by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 25 2015, @10:08PM (#227815)

  Do you think the scientists told the B cells of the mice to make broadly reactive antibodies?

  Parent

• Re: Flu shots will become mandatory (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 25 2015, @10:21PM

  by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 25 2015, @10:21PM (#227819)

  Do you think the scientists told the B cells of the mice to make broadly reactive antibodies?

  No, they subjectively decide when the animals are killed:

  Clinical signs of infection, weight and temperatures were recorded twice daily for ferrets. Activity scores were assigned as follows: 0, alert and playful; 1, alert but playful only when stimulated; 2, alert, but not playful when stimulated; and 3, neither alert nor playful when stimulated. Ferrets that showed signs of severe disease (prolonged fever, diarrhea; nasal discharge interfering with eating, drinking or breathing; severe lethargy; or neurological signs) or that had >20% weight loss were euthanized immediately.

  http://www.nature.com/nm/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nm.3927.html [nature.com]

  You are going to snarkily argue in favor of not blinding the people who determine your primary endpoint? Also afaict the Science paper does not claim blinding either way, so it is possible they have the same problem. Medical research practices need to be cleaned up. Big Time.

  Parent