Potential hurdle to universal flu vaccine development may be overcome, study suggests
Wednesday, August 15, 2012 - 14:30
in Health & Medicine
In the quest for a universal influenza vaccine -- one that elicits broadly neutralizing antibodies that can protect against most or all strains of flu virus -- scientists have faced a sobering question: Does pre-existing immunity generated by prior exposure to influenza virus or vaccine hamper production of broadly neutralizing antibodies? If so, then a universal flu vaccine might work best (and perhaps only) in very young children who have had limited exposure to influenza viruses or vaccines.