Hopes ‘holy grail’ of flu vaccines could become a reality – SBS News

There are hopes the "holy grail" of flu vaccines could become a reality after a discovery made by Australian researchers. Scientists at the Doherty Institute have identified nine new similarities between different types of the influenza B virus, which can be particularly dangerous for children. Killer T-cells in the immune system each reacted strongly to those nine fragments, which lead researcher Katherine Kedzierska likened to a "target" for future vaccines that aim to fight off all forms of the flu.

"The findings are significant as they pave the way for the design of potential vaccines," the University of Melbourne and Doherty Institute laboratory head said.

"If we can have a universal flu vaccine that would be an enormous breakthrough," Kelly told ABC TV on Tuesday.

"This is especially important for individuals in high-risk groups, including the elderly, pregnant women and people with comorbidities."

Authorities have recorded 42,000 laboratory-confirmed cases of the flu in Australia so far in 2024 and more than 289,000 cases in 2023.

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Hopes 'holy grail' of flu vaccines could become a reality - SBS News