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Universal flu jab works in people Universal flu jab works in people
(about 3 hours later)
A single jab that could give lifelong protection against all types of flu has produced promising results in human trials.A single jab that could give lifelong protection against all types of flu has produced promising results in human trials.
The vaccine, made by Acambis, should protect against all strains of influenza A - the cause of pandemics.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.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.The new vaccine would overcome this and could be stockpiled in advance of a bird flu outbreak, say experts.
Promising resultsPromising results
Each year winter flu kills around 4,000 people in the UK.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.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.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 trails show that the jab is safe and it works fast to make the body immune against flu. 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 AcambisIt 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.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.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.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.""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 actionUnique action
Current flu vaccines work by giving immunity to two proteins called haemagglutinin and neuraminidase, which are found on the surface of flu viruses.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.However, these proteins keep mutating which means doctors have to keep making new vaccines to keep up.
The Acambis vaccine hones in on a different protein, called M2, which is found on the surface of all A-strains of flu and does not mutate.The Acambis vaccine hones 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.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.But he said it would still be some years before it was widely available for patients.
"Larger trails and tests on a wider range of viruses will be needed before the full potential for pandemic protection can be assured," he said. "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.