In a groundbreaking development, scientists at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) are on the verge of creating a single-shot vaccine that could not only protect against the flu but also offer resistance to future mutations of the virus. This potential all-in-one, lifetime vaccine might become available within five years, according to OHSU researchers.
Targeting historical and modern strains
The initial research is focused on a 106-year-old strain of Spanish influenza, also known as the Great Influenza Epidemic, which claimed millions of lives between 1918 and 1919, following the First World War. After developing the vaccine, researchers were surprised to find it effective against a 21st-century strain of bird flu. This discovery fueled hopes for a “one and done” vaccine that could provide lifetime immunity against evolving flu viruses.
Experimentation on macaques
To test the vaccine, researchers administered it to 11 macaques, primate cousins to humans sharing 93 percent of our DNA. The macaques were then divided into two groups and exposed to the H5N1 virus, one of the deadliest influenza viruses in circulation today. The unvaccinated group of six macaques did not survive the virus, whereas six out of the 11 vaccinated macaques survived the exposure. Dr. Jonah Sacha, head of OHSU’s pathobiology department, emphasized the broader implications of their findings. He stated that the same approach could “absolutely” be applied to other mutating viruses.
Mechanism of the vaccine
Unlike traditional vaccines that rely on the body’s antibodies, this new vaccine triggers a response from the body’s T-cells. This method targets the internal proteins of the virus, which remain relatively unchanged over time.
“The vaccine worked because the interior protein of the virus was so well preserved,” explained Dr. Sacha. “So much so, that even after almost 100 years of evolution, the virus can’t change those critically important parts of itself.” This led to the realization that “a one-and-done shot for influenza is possible,” he added.
A paradigm shift in disease prevention
Dr. Sacha described this development as a “massive sea change within our lifetimes,” predicting a new era in how infectious diseases are addressed. “There is no question we are on the cusp of the next generation of how we address infectious disease,” he said. As researchers continue their work, the prospect of a single-shot, lifetime vaccine against influenza brings hope for a significant advancement in global health.
