Pchan 5,162 Report post Posted January 4, 2008 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7171118.stm A single jab that could give lifelong protection against all types of flu has produced promising results in human trials. The vaccine is designed to protect against all flu strains. The vaccine, made by Acambis, should protect against all strains of influenza A - the cause of pandemics. Currently, winter flu jabs have to be regularly redesigned because the flu virus keeps changing. The new vaccine would overcome this and could be stockpiled in advance of a bird flu outbreak, say experts. Promising results Each year winter flu kills around 4,000 people in the UK. Globally, between 500,000 and one million people die each year from influenza. But a pandemic of the human form of bird flu, which experts believe is inevitable, could kill as many as 50m people worldwide. The US trials show that the jab is safe and it works fast to make the body immune against flu. It could be stockpiled in advance of a pandemic Dr Michael Watson of Acambis Nine out of 10 of those who had two doses of the jab ACAM-FLU-A developed antibodies against flu virus. Scientists at Acambis are now working to perfect the formulation before doing larger human trials. Dr Michael Watson of Acambis said: "As a universal vaccine, ACAM-FLU-A can potentially overcome many of the drawbacks of existing influenza vaccines. "It can be manufactured at any time of the year, and could be stockpiled in advance of a pandemic or potentially used routinely to ensure population protection against future pandemics." Unique action Current flu vaccines work by giving immunity to two proteins called haemagglutinin and neuraminidase, which are found on the surface of flu viruses. However, these proteins keep mutating which means doctors have to keep making new vaccines to keep up. The Acambis vaccine homes in on a different protein, called M2, which is found on the surface of all A-strains of flu and does not mutate. Professor Ian Jones, a University of Reading virologist, said the jab could end the scramble to produce a new winter jab each year. But he said it would still be some years before it was widely available for patients. "Larger trials and tests on a wider range of viruses will be needed before the full potential for pandemic protection can be assured," he said. 1 Mathias reacted to this I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sledgstone 8,672 Report post Posted January 4, 2008 Wow. Now that looks promising! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mathias 426 Report post Posted January 5, 2008 Jab me with it! Did I really just say that? Understand this lad, fate is a fickle lady. Work with the hand you're dealt and you may just be able to run your flag up the pole. Don't, and well, you may just find your mast cut down. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
