Duke researchers working toward more effective, longer-lasting flu vaccine make promising findings – Fox 46 Charlotte

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) Duke University researchers are working toward developing a more effective flu shot that could last longer and protect against numerous flu strains. They recently announced some promising findings.

Right now, a yearly shot is the only option because the flu viruses change each year.

Basically the World Health Organization guesses what the new flu is going to be, explained Dr. Garnett Kelsoe, the James B. Duke Distinguished Professor of Immunology at Duke. Because it really is a guess mean its an informed guess, but its a guess were off a bunch of the times, and on average, influenza vaccines are only about 50% effective at preventing infection or illness.

Duke scientists want to take the guesswork out of the flu shot, and Kelsoe says theyre making progress. Along with Harvard University researchers, they recently discovered a part of the flu virus that doesnt change and is found on almost all strains of flu. By targeting that part of the virus, researchers say they could potentially create a vaccine that would last for 3-5 years, target most strains of the flu, and could be much more effective than current vaccines.

I think it would be highly effective to most not all, but the great majority of existing influenza viruses on in the world. Kelsoe noted.

He says studies in mice have shown a lot of promise. The next step will be studies in non-human primates. If those are successful, Kelsoe says human trial could begin within five years.

Rich and Shanon Cheney get their annual flu vaccines, but say theyd welcome a less frequent shot.

Obviously less pain, but one less thing to remember in your busy schedule, Shanon said.

Kelsoe thinks that a more effective and less frequent shot would encourage more people to get vaccinated.

I think as vaccine efficacy increases, vaccine hesitancy decreases, he said.

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Duke researchers working toward more effective, longer-lasting flu vaccine make promising findings - Fox 46 Charlotte