Category: Flu Vaccine

Between the flu, COVID-19 and RSV, theres a lot of sickness going around. Thats why health experts ask people to stay up to date on their vaccines.

Anne Meiswinkel has received six COVID-19 vaccinations since 2021.

Cause it keeps changing, and I think it's important, especially for us seniors, Meiswinkel said.

She also gets her flu shot each year.

I never had the flu before, and I know people that have it. You're like usually down and out for a good week, Meiswinkel said.

But not everyone chooses to get the same vaccines.

Kelly Webber stopped receiving COVID-19 vaccines after getting her initial two and one booster. She said this is because of what happened after.

I was really down and out for a few days with the boosters and the COVID shot. They make me very sick, so I decided not to do it, Webber said.

However, she does get her yearly flu vaccine.

My doctor always recommended it, Webber said. I have elderly parents. My mom's in a nursing home.

Webber seems to be in the majority when it comes to recent national vaccine trends.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 11% of children, 21% of adults and 41% of seniors said theyre up to date on getting the latest COVID vaccine. But it's very different for the influenza vaccine. Nearly half of surveyed children and adults got their shots, and more than 70% of seniors have received theirs.

Dr. Neal Smoller, a holistic pharmacist, said he believes the reasons less people are getting COVID vaccines vary. One of those is misinformation from sources who arent health experts.

It's been very difficult to watch all of the other social stuff unfold, and it makes it really challenging because we have answers to stop the spread of this, Smoller said.

Smoller owns and runs Village Apothecary in Woodstock. He said hes seen people prefer the convenience of getting all their shots at once for COVID and the flu.

Practitioners aren't out here just trying to push vaccines. We want people to be protected. We want people to be safe, and we want people to do what's medically indicated. So, for some people that's a stronger recommendation than others, Smoller said.

Meiswinkel said she and her husband plan to continue to stay current on their shots.

Neither one of us are compromised, but just due to the age, I think it's important, Meiswinkel said.

As for Webber, she says cons of the side effects outweigh the benefits of the COVID-19 booster for her, but shell continue to get her regular flu shot.

The CDC suggests everyone six months and older gets their seasonal flu vaccine and stays up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines.

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CDC: More Americans opt for flu shots over latest COVID vaccinations - Spectrum News

Each year, as fall brings shorter, colder days to the Northern Hemisphere, we're reminded to get vaccinated against the flu, or influenza. In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone over 6 months old receive a flu shot every year.

But is there a time limit on getting your flu shot? While it's best to get vaccinated before the season kicks off in earnest, it's still beneficial to get one toward the end of the season, two infectious-disease experts told Live Science.

Related: Never-before-seen antibodies can target many flu viruses

Normally, flu vaccines become available in late summer. Specific groups, such as pregnant people in their third trimesters, might consider vaccination in the summer. But the CDC recommends that most eligible people get vaccinated in the fall, by the end of October, as this is when cases begin to rise.

"In the U.S., we often say to get vaccinated around October, because that's when cases start going up and we know that the flu vaccine gives you good protection over a certain period of time," Dr. Sabrina Assoumou, an associate professor of medicine at Boston University and an attending physician at Boston Medical Center, told Live Science.

But if you miss that time window for some reason, you should still get a flu shot.

"Flu season typically continues through March, and it generally takes about two weeks after getting a flu shot for immunity to start kicking in," Dr. Daniel Kuritzkes, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, told Live Science in an email. So, if you haven't been vaccinated yet, it still makes sense to do so through the end of February, and maybe even into early March, he said.

There would also be "no harm" in getting vaccinated after March or April, considering that influenza viruses circulate all year round, Kuritzkes said. However, practically speaking, the risk of catching flu in the spring or summer is "so low" that healthcare professionals don't generally focus on vaccinations once flu season is over, he said.

If you haven't gotten sick by January, it may be tempting to think, "Oh, the holidays are done; I've dodged a bullet," Assoumou said. However, cases can still be seen later in flu season, and the later you get vaccinated, the shorter your window of available protection for that particular flu season, Assoumou added.

Notably, the peak of flu season has been difficult to predict in recent years due to COVID-19.

Flu transmission most often peaks in February in the U.S. but the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily disrupted the timing of this. For instance, in 2020, flu transmission reached historically low levels. Between 2021 and 2022, flu infections began to rise again, peaking in late December 2021 then again in April 2022, but transmission rates stayed high until mid-June. However, between 2022 and 2023, transmission peaked in late November and early December.

This suggests that "we're moving back towards more typical patterns in terms of influenza epidemiology," Kuritzkes said. Therefore, getting a flu shot in the fall continues to make the most sense, he said.

But what if you've already had the flu this season? Is it still worth getting vaccinated afterward?

Although it may seem counterintuitive, experts say yes. That's because many strains of influenza circulate each year. These strains fall into two broad categories influenza A and influenza B that are responsible for seasonal epidemics of the disease.

"For reasons we don't fully understand, in a typical year the majority of cases seen early in flu season tend to be influenza A, whereas cases due to influenza B are more common later in the season," in February and March, Kuritzkes said.

"Therefore, an unvaccinated person who gets flu in December or January from one type of influenza could still be susceptible to catching flu again later in the season from the other type," he said.

The annual flu vaccine is designed to provide protection against the major strains of influenza that are expected to circulate in that particular season. Flu vaccines in the U.S. are "quadrivalent," meaning they protect against four strains.

And even if you still get the flu after being vaccinated, you're much less likely to develop a severe infection or to be hospitalized, Assoumou said. "The role of these vaccines is to convert a severe infection into a mild one," she said.

People often forget just how deadly the flu can be, so it is really important that everyone gets vaccinated, Assoumou said. This is especially true for people who are at a heightened risk of flu complications, such as those who are pregnant, over age 65 or have underlying chronic health conditions, such as asthma or heart disease, according to the CDC.

Getting the flu vaccine is the "best way to protect yourself and the community" regardless of when you receive it, Assoumou said.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to offer medical advice.

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Is it too late to get a flu shot? - Livescience.com

Danish seniors who received the quadrivalent (four-strain) high-dose influenza vaccine (QIV-HD) had fewer hospitalizations for flu and other conditions compared to their peers who received the standard quadrivalent flu vaccine (QIV-SD), according to a post-hoc analysis published late last week in Clinical Microbiology and Infection.

The trial took place during the Northern Hemisphere's 2021-22 flu season. Researchers enrolled 12,477 participants, 6,245 who received QIV-HD and 6,232 who got the QIV-SD. Overall mean age was 71.1, and 47.1% were women. Just over 20% had underlying cardiovascular disease.

The researchers looked at a number of outcomes when comparing the two groups, beginning 14 days after vaccination until May 2022. Hospitalizations for pneumonia or influenza, respiratory hospitalizations, cardiorespiratory hospitalizations, cardiovascular hospitalizations, all-cause hospitalizations, and all-cause death.

The investigators found that receiving QIV-HD was associated with lower rates of hospitalization for flu and pneumonia10 events in the QIV-HD group compared with 33 in the QIV-SD group. Incidence rate ratio (IRR) was 0.30 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.14 to 0.64), meaning 60% greater protection.

Trends favoring QIV-HD were observed over time, even before the flu season was under way. The team found the first statistically significant reductions in flu and pneumonia hospitalizations by the third calendar week of 2022. There were 5 such events in the QIV-HD group versus 15 in the QIV-SD group. IRR was 0.33 (95% CI, 0.11 to 0.94).

The researchers concluded that the impact on less specific outcomes outside of influenza circulation periods supports earlier findings, including from similar trivalent (three-strain) flu vaccines, that suggest broader effects from flu vaccination.

"Our exploratory results correspond to a number needed to treat of 65 (95% CI 35-840) persons vaccinated with QIV-HD compared with QIV-SD to prevent one additional all-cause hospitalisation per season," the authors wrote. "Further research is needed to confirm these hypothesis-generating findings."

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Quad high-dose flu vaccine tied to fewer hospitalizations in seniors - University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Cell-based influenza vaccine development and distribution may be more effective for reduced disease burden among children as well as more cost-efficient than egg-based vaccine options, according to findings from a new model analysis.1

Data derived from a Taiwan-based age-stratified static model interpreting base case and high egg-based vaccine adaptation scenarios predicted that switching from a primary national plan of egg-based vaccines to cell-based vaccines for the flu would significantly reduce the impact of the seasonal virus at a lesser production and distribution cost. The findings warrant consideration toward adopting the model as a vaccination policy specifically for the pediatric population, investigators noted.

Led by Chia-Yu Chi, of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology under the National Health Research Institutes in Taiwan, the team of investigators designed a prediction model to compare the cost-effectiveness of cell-based versus egg-based quadrivalent flu vaccines in the pediatric population aged 6 months to 17 years old, under Taiwans national immunization program. Though cell-based options have been included in the national program since 2020, there had been no previous analysis into its cost-related benefit among the pediatric populationwhich would help to potentially optimize national vaccination strategies for such children.

Compared with (egg-based vaccines), cell-based quadrivalent influenza vaccine is anticipated to have improved fidelity to the vaccine strains selected by the World Health Organization (WHO), which, in turn, is expected to result in improved vaccine efficacy, they wrote. The vaccine efficacy advantages of (cell-based) may be more pronounced against A/H3N2 and in seasons in which egg adaptation occurs during the egg-based manufacturing process. Several real-world studies also suggest that (cell-based) may be more effective than standard-dose egg-based influenza vaccines in preventing influenza and influenza-related outcomes, particularly in seasons in which egg adaptation occurs, across various age ranges.

Chi and colleagues model exposed patients to different probabilities of flu infection based on model entry-based vaccination status, with assumptions being made that all patients infected with influenza would be initially treated at outpatient facilities or emergency departments (EDs), and that some patients would require inpatient care dependent on infection severity ands risk of death. Their outcomes included total cases of flu, ED visits, flu-related complications, hospitalizations, deaths and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Both medical (vaccination and treatment related) and societal costs (relevant transportation, productivity loss, and premature death) were factored into cost outcomes.

The team conducted deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses, with an incremental cost-effective ratio (ICER) threshold of $99,177 USD per QALY.

Their analysis showed that cell-based quadrivalent flu vaccines would prevent 15,665 flu cases, 2244 complicated cases, and 259 hospitalizations annually compared to egg-based quadrivalent flu vaccines.

Though vaccination total costs were approximately $4.5 million USD greater with cell-based vaccines, the model showed the option would save approximately $990,000 USD in treatment costs due to flu infections among pediatric patients annually versus the egg-based vaccine. Regarding societal costs, the cell-based vaccines were predicted to save Taiwan more than $1.4 million USD annually through reduced caregiver, transportation and premature death costs, versus egg-based vaccines.

In combined medical and societal costs, the predictive model suggested cell-based vaccines ($96.6 million USD) would be within approximately $2 million USD annually compared to egg-based vaccines ($94.5 million USD) in treating pediatric influenza in Taiwan annually. The team additionally observed improved QALY (n = 70 annually) with cell-based vaccines versus egg-based vaccines. Whats more, predictive data suggest the medical and economic benefits of a cell-based quadrivalent vaccine would be even greater in seasons with a high egg adaptation observed in the circulating flu strain.

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to compare the cost-effectiveness of (cell-based) versus (egg-based quadrivalent flu vaccines) in the Taiwanese pediatric immunization strategy, investigators noted. We have employed valid and effective modeling design that is deemed adequate to assess influenza strategies and our findings appear to be directionally consistent with the conclusions from previously published studies in the general population. Based on our study, universal vaccination with quadrivalent influenza vaccines in the Taiwanese pediatric (6 months to 17 years) population could help reduce the burden of influenza and associated health costs.

They concluded that national policymakers may want to consider the findings of this and supplementary clinical and economic-based evaluations in their work toward a more optimized pediatric influenza vaccination strategy.

Reference

Chi CY, Cheng MF, Ko K, et al. Cost-effectiveness analysis of cell-based versus egg-based quadrivalent influenza vaccines in the pediatric population in Taiwan. J Med Virol. 2024;96(1):e29279. doi:10.1002/jmv.29279

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Cell-Based Flu Shots May Be More Cost-Effective, Beneficial for Pediatric Population - Contemporary Pediatrics

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- With flu season in full swing, the Cleveland chapter of the Alzheimers Association is urging residents to keep their vaccines up to date.

Apart from the protection against influenza -- by either preventing catching the disease or reducing the severity of its impact -- experts now believe the vaccination against flu may have strong benefits in helping prevent the onset of Alzheimers and other dementias.

Annual flu vaccinations offer protection against the flu virus, but we are discovering that they also improve long-term health outcomes, such as reducing our risk for Alzheimers, cardiac arrest and hospitalizations due to diabetes, said Mary Ertle, program director for the Alzheimers Association Cleveland Area and Greater East Ohio chapters.

Flu vaccines may not prevent someone from getting the flu, but they will lessen symptoms and reduce hospitalizations, she said.

Annual flu vaccines protect against four different viruses, based on the strains that are expected to be dominant this season. Some flu seasons are worse than others, depending upon which viruses are circulating.

Ertle added that recent research published in the Journal of Alzheimers Disease, a study of nearly 2 million participants showed that people who do not get vaccinated against influenza have a 60 percent higher chance of developing Alzheimers or another dementia than people who get their flu shot.

She said it is not clear why the flu vaccine resulted in such a substantial reduction in the risk of developing Alzheimers at this stage, but it is thought that the vaccine might train the immune system to respond to beta-amyloid protein plaques -- a key part of Alzheimers pathology.

Researchers found the protective association between the flu vaccine and the risk of Alzheimers was strongest for those who received their first vaccine at a younger age.

There are 493,000 people caring for 220,000 Ohioans aged 65 and older living with Alzheimers disease, according to the Alzheimers Association.

Those concerned about themselves or a loved one can contact the Alzheimers Association Cleveland Area Chapter at 216-342-5556 to schedule a care consultation and be connected to local resources.

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Flu jabs may help reduce dementia, according to Alzheimer's Association - cleveland.com

Flu vaccination rates are down across the country, including in East Tennessee.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. Flu vaccination rates are continuing to drop, including in East Tennessee.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 155 million doses of the flu vaccine were distributed by the end of last year, compared to more than 170 million doses around two years ago.

The CDC is still listing Tennessee as "very high" when it comes to flu-like activity. That's the highest ranking a state can get.

Flu vaccination rates are down across the country and Dr. Corinne Tandy, the division director of epidemiology for the Knox County Health Department, said it's no different in Tennessee.

"Flu shot coverage has always been a little bit tricky because it changes every year. You have to do it every year," said Dr. Tandy. "And so it's hard to say exactly why people may be getting vaccinated less right now. But, we have seen an overall decline in several other vaccinations since the COVID pandemic. And so it might be related."

Dr. Tandy said in Knox County, flu and other respiratory illness activity was starting to go down ahead of a recent winter storm.

"We are fairly confident that it's not necessarily due to people not getting tested because of the snow," said Dr. Tandy. "So, we're seeing a decrease in other respiratory viruses like RSV, and COVID, as well."

But now that people are back to their normal schedules, that could change.

"It's really going to depend a lot on the community level circulating, you know. Because folks may go back to school, for example, or some other, you know, kind of larger gathering like that," said Dr. Tandy. "And you know, it may spread through there. So we may see some blips, but it may not in some communities, and we may see it in others. So I'm not sure if we're going to see a small bump in those cases. I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a little bit of a bump, but we seem to be starting the back end of the season. It looks like we've probably gone past the peak of the season, but flu season can be unpredictable."

She says flu activity is also something that is not directly tracked.

"We don't get reports of individual cases of influenza, but pharmacies and stuff keep track of prescribing practices," said Dr. Tandy. "But sometimes, it's always a little tricky because sometimes people get prescribed, not the correct medicine. And it could be the flu, but maybe not. And so it's a little hard to use those. That's why we try to use these indicators of like, 'Okay, people are visiting the doctor with fever and respiratory symptoms.' That way, we're not only thinking about flu, but we're thinking about all the other stuff that is going around. And so we'd like to keep an eye on that level of activity rather than those specific indicators."

She also said she can't say for certain if there is a link between high flu activity and low vaccination rates, but those who do get vaccinated have a lower risk of severe illness.

"In really severe respiratory seasons when we're about middle of the season, when people are getting more sick, we're seeing more cases. I think that kind of prompts some people to say, 'You know what? I will get vaccinated,'" she said.

Dr. Tandy also said although the peak of flu season is coming to an end, it is still not too late to get a flu shot. Flu season usually ends in late March or April.

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It's not too late to get your flu shot, according to a Tennessee health expert - WBIR.com

The Hawaii Department of Health today announced the first influenza-associated, pediatric death during this flu season.

The child was an Oahu resident under the age of 18 years old, but no exact age was given.

DOH says out of respect for the familys privacy, no further information about the child will be released.

We are always especially saddened to announce the death of a child in our community, said Dr. Kenneth Fink, Director of Health, in a news release. Our thoughts and condolences are with the family at this difficult time. If you or your loved ones have not received the flu vaccine this season, I hope you will consider doing so.

Flu cases have been on the rise in recent weeks, according to DOH, in combination with rising RSV cases and continued COVID activity. DOH says unlike other U.S. states, flu transmission in Hawaii is observed year-round.

Hawaiis last pediatric death from influenza occurred in June. The state recorded a total of four pediatric deaths due to influenza during the 2022-23 flu season.

Health officials encourage residents get their flu vaccines if they have not done so yet to decrease the risk of severe disease, emergency department visits, hospitalization and death.

All residents ages six months and older are eligible for a flu shot.

As we emerge from the pandemic, we are seeing a return of pre-pandemic flu impacts in the community, said Dr. Sarah Kemble, State Epidemiologist. Flu vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and others from the flu. It is recommended that everyone six months and older get vaccinated each year.

Officials also recommend other basic prevention measures such as hand washing, staying home when sick, and masking, to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses.

Visit vaccines.gov to find a list of available vaccinations by zip code.

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Hawaii records first flu-associated death in a child this season - Honolulu Star-Advertiser

The Cincinnati Health Department is monitoring untreated wastewater after recent results showed a potential increase of the flu virus.CHD said they're continuing to monitor untreated wastewater in Cincinnati to learn about potential viruses circulating among the population in partnership with the Ohio Department of Health and the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati."Recent results showed the consecutive detection of Influenza A viral genes copies in the untreated wastewater collected from the Mill Creek wastewater treatment plant," Maryse Amin, Ph.D., M.S., Assistant Health Commissioner, Division Director for Community Health and Environmental Health Services with the Cincinnati Health Department, said in a statement. "Detection of influenza virus in wastewater can indicate higher transmission within a community, so it is important to take precautions to minimize the negative impact of the flu and other viral illnesses such as COVID-19 and RSV."According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu viruses typically increase during the fall and winter months.CHD said that this flu season, 57 influenza hospitalizations have been reported among Cincinnati residents of all ages. CHD said that since the start of the COVID pandemic, the timing and duration of flu activity has been less predictable, but local indicators suggest that Cincinnati has not yet peaked.Health officials are urging residents to get their flu vaccine and to consistent with hygiene practices."We appreciate the Cincinnati Health Department and Metropolitan Sewer District for their work on surveillance in our community," Greg Kesterman, Hamilton County Health Commissioner, said in a statement. "It's respiratory virus season so it's not unusual to find this type of activity. This should serve as a reminder to get vaccinated the best choice for avoiding severe disease."

The Cincinnati Health Department is monitoring untreated wastewater after recent results showed a potential increase of the flu virus.

CHD said they're continuing to monitor untreated wastewater in Cincinnati to learn about potential viruses circulating among the population in partnership with the Ohio Department of Health and the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati.

"Recent results showed the consecutive detection of Influenza A viral genes copies in the untreated wastewater collected from the Mill Creek wastewater treatment plant," Maryse Amin, Ph.D., M.S., Assistant Health Commissioner, Division Director for Community Health and Environmental Health Services with the Cincinnati Health Department, said in a statement. "Detection of influenza virus in wastewater can indicate higher transmission within a community, so it is important to take precautions to minimize the negative impact of the flu and other viral illnesses such as COVID-19 and RSV."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu viruses typically increase during the fall and winter months.

CHD said that this flu season, 57 influenza hospitalizations have been reported among Cincinnati residents of all ages.

CHD said that since the start of the COVID pandemic, the timing and duration of flu activity has been less predictable, but local indicators suggest that Cincinnati has not yet peaked.

Health officials are urging residents to get their flu vaccine and to consistent with hygiene practices.

"We appreciate the Cincinnati Health Department and Metropolitan Sewer District for their work on surveillance in our community," Greg Kesterman, Hamilton County Health Commissioner, said in a statement. "It's respiratory virus season so it's not unusual to find this type of activity. This should serve as a reminder to get vaccinated the best choice for avoiding severe disease."

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CHD: Wastewater monitoring indicates potential increase of flu virus - WLWT Cincinnati

Flu activity remains elevated in most of the country, but the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows "a single week of decrease" for the first time in months. Despite the dip, experts say not to let your guard down just yet.

After several weeks of increases, the agency's weekly influenza report Friday showed some key indicators are down, but health officials say an "upsurge" is expected.

"Folks try not to seek care during the holiday season, so we see these divots in the surveillance graphs each year, but it is very probable that during the next weeks, we'll see an upsurge of cases," said Dr. Eduardo Azziz-Baumgartner of the CDC's Influenza Division.

click to expand

Dr. Cline Gounder, a CBS News medical contributor and editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News, says it's pretty typical to see two dips in flu numbers one that comes after the Thanksgiving holiday and another after Christmas and New Years.

"Just because we've seen cases go down a little bit in the last week doesn't mean we don't still have another bump in cases yet to come," she says. "Later in January, February is very often the peak of the influenza season, so just because we've see a recent drop in flu cases doesn't mean that there aren't more to come. In fact, I think we're probably in a lull between increases resulting from Thanksgiving, and then afterwards Christmas and New Years."

So far this season, the CDC says the flu has caused at least 14 million illnesses 150,000 hospitalizations, and 9,400 deaths. An additional 13 pediatric deaths were reported this week, bringing the total number to 40 this season.

The increase in deaths among kids from flu is concerning, Gounder says, adding many people don't realize that, after the elderly, children are the group at highest risk for complications and even death from respiratory illnesses.

"Unfortunately, I think a lot of people coming out of the COVID pandemic are fatigued and tired of talking about vaccinations, getting vaccinated, but kids under 5 are very much at risk for hospitalization and even death from respiratory illnesses, including influenza COVID and RSV, and this is because they have less mature immune systems and smaller airways," she said.

So while death from respiratory illnesses is relatively rare among young kids, Gounder says, "it's really important to keep up to date with vaccinations in those youngest," as it can "dramatically reduce the risk of these terrible consequences."

The CDC's Azziz-Baumgartner noted that the flu vaccine is beneficial for anyone looking for protection.

"Anyone who hasn't gotten vaccinated against influenza should go get their vaccines so that they're protected," he said.

Sara Moniuszko is a health and lifestyle reporter at CBSNews.com. Previously, she wrote for USA Today, where she was selected to help launch the newspaper's wellness vertical. She now covers breaking and trending news for CBS News' HealthWatch.

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CDC reports single-week decrease in flu activity but experts warn "an upsurge" could be on the way - CBS News

One shot a year that targets the anticipated dominant strain of influenza. Thats the status quo for those looking to survive flu season.

But what if you could get one shot every few years that targeted all of the flu strains at once?

Thats the goal of Duke University scientists who are working on a universal flu vaccine.

What weve done is just simply ask the question: Is it possible to make an antibody that would bind to all sorts of flus, not just the flu of the season, said Garnett Kelsoe, an immunology professor at Duke University School of Medicine.

Kelsoes team, along with a group of researchers at Harvard University, have been working on the development of a universal flu vaccine for seven years.

Recently, the team discovered a group of antibodies in several unrelated humans that target all types of influenza. The antibodies were also found in some animals.

It was quite rare actually, Kelsoe said. It was two antibodies out of about 8,000 that bound to all sorts of different kinds of flu the flu that is circulating now, but also flu that has circulated in the past and kinds of flus that actually are only in animals.

Annual flu shots require some guesswork by public health experts who predict the prevailing flu strain. A universal shot, the thinking goes, could offer more protection and possibly reduce the severity of the illness, and perhaps reduce deaths.

The way that all human vaccines are developed right now is theyre developed for the strain that the World Health Organization basically bets is going to be the circulating strain the next year, so its always bet in advance. Sometimes theyre right, sometimes theyre not right, said Kelsoe.

To get the vaccines manufactured and into pharmacies on-time, the prediction has to be made several months in advance which leads to an average annual flu vaccine efficiency of about 50%.

A universal flu vaccine is designed to be more of a sure bet by defending against a wider array of flu strains not just those predicted by public health experts, Kelsoe said.

After the researchers discovered the antibodies, the team at Harvard used whats called cyro electron microscopy to determine where the antibody attaches to the flu virus.

The researchers at Duke then introduced the antibodies to mice and injected them with the flu.

You can give the mice hugely lethal doses of influenza virus, and the mice survive, Kelsoe said. In fact, they dont really get sick at all.

The recent rise in North Carolina flu deaths comes as the CDC says flu vaccinations are the lowest in the last five years.

If people could get just one shot that protected against all strains rather than just one, it could greatly combat vaccine hesitancy, Kelsoe says.

If a shot is really good and it lasts for multiple years, you have great faith in that its terrific, he said. If you have to get a shot every year and its only about 50% effective, that reduces peoples faith. One of the goals of the universal vaccine is to regain peoples faith and the efficacy of vaccines.

The team will now move forward with their findings to test in primates sometime over the next two years. If the vaccine proves to be effective in primates, then human trials could begin.

Kelsoe said its still important for people to get their annual flu shot while the universal vaccine is being developed.

Even the vaccines that are not 100% effective reduce sickness and significantly reduce death. Theyre very, very valuable.

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Better than an annual flu shot? Duke researchers developing longer-lasting flu vaccine - WRAL News