Researchers are Closing In on a 'Universal' Flu Vaccine (upi.com) 36
The Weather Channel reports:
One main reason humans need to get a flu vaccine annually: flu strains mutate regularly so vaccines need to be slightly altered every year. During past flu seasons, the CDC has noted a vaccine effectiveness range between 40-60%, and a reduced the risk of flu-related illness by 40-60% within the overall population. There are, however, several "universal" flu vaccines currently being studied that aim to make annual flu vaccinations a thing of the past. In fact, according to the American Society for Microbiology, some of these vaccine candidates are in phase 2 and phase 3 trials right now.
Now UPI reports: Researchers believe they are one step closer to a "universal" flu vaccine, even as concerns over the seasonal virus move to the back burner during the COVID-19 pandemic. T cells found in the lungs may hold the key to long-lasting immunity against influenza A, the more common and often more severe form of the virus, according to the researchers behind a study published Friday by Science Immunology.
These cells, which the researchers call resident helper T cells, help the body initiate antiviral responses against new influenza strains even after experience with only one type of the virus, the researchers said. This type of "generalized" immune response, against all virus strains, is not possible with the currently available yearly vaccine formulations, they said.
Now UPI reports: Researchers believe they are one step closer to a "universal" flu vaccine, even as concerns over the seasonal virus move to the back burner during the COVID-19 pandemic. T cells found in the lungs may hold the key to long-lasting immunity against influenza A, the more common and often more severe form of the virus, according to the researchers behind a study published Friday by Science Immunology.
These cells, which the researchers call resident helper T cells, help the body initiate antiviral responses against new influenza strains even after experience with only one type of the virus, the researchers said. This type of "generalized" immune response, against all virus strains, is not possible with the currently available yearly vaccine formulations, they said.
Batter up (Score:5, Interesting)
Wouldn't it be splendid if the Nastiness that Covid-19 brought the world was supplanted by historically simultaneous innovations in vaccine development that rendered these viral infections nearly impotent?
All we really need is a chiropteran immune system. [npr.org]
Re: Batter up (Score:2)
Broken window fallacy?
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Silver lining theory.
Also known as the ill wind position.
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I see a lot of potential in this, but one sticking factor I see is wild animal reservoirs. Once we've gotten good at eradicating diseases circulating among humans, how do we deal with easily-jumping diseases that exist in wild animals? Because if we don't deal with reservoirs, they'll just continue to fester and mutate until they can overcome whatever defenses we've come up with. Are there any plausible and practical ways to eradicate such threats?
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Proactive research, vaccinate the animals.
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Same as with other vaccines, refresh once a decade or so.
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I see a lot of potential in this, but one sticking factor I see is wild animal reservoirs. Once we've gotten good at eradicating diseases circulating among humans, how do we deal with easily-jumping diseases that exist in wild animals? Because if we don't deal with reservoirs, they'll just continue to fester and mutate until they can overcome whatever defenses we've come up with. Are there any plausible and practical ways to eradicate such threats?
I presume eradication is an unrealistic goal. Concerning reduction, the easy answer would be to eliminate the contact between humans and other species created by hunting and raising animals for meat. Humans are going to be reluctant to comply with that.
The natural order of human population expansion into every corner of the world has taken a negative toll on the number of other species. Counterintuitively, more species [nature.com] may lead to less disease, when combined with less human/animal contact.
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An immune system that is "weak" against measles, mumps, chicken pox, etc. might be strong against other diseases. You can't automatically assume that vaccines that have protected populations against these diseases have paved the way for future infectious agents.
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It's because the natural selection that favors strong immune systems has been artificially modified by our use of vaccines for the last several decades.
That is utter nonsense.
A strong - aka working - immune system is what is making vaccines possible.
as it is modifying the genetic makeup of our species in a negative way. ... a vaccine has no influence on your genes ...
No it does not
Re: Batter up (Score:2)
However, flu and covid are killing older people. And the 1918 flu killed people with strong immune systems specifically because it prompted a too aggressive immune response. So in view of those the gp hasn't thought about it critically.
Re: Batter up (Score:1)
We already got a universal vaccine. (Score:2)
It's called being a Slashdot basement dweller with no social life.
And looking at humanity in all its degenration, we like it that way too.
Re:We already got a universal vaccine. (Score:4, Funny)
Mom still comes down to drop off Bagel Bites and restock the fridge with Hot Pockets.
But the Flu isn't any worse than Influenza. (Score:5, Funny)
I mean, first they forced me to wear a vile disgusting mask that makes me feel slightly uncomfortable, just to prevent a life threatening disease.
Now they are making me get a single flu shot to stop on of mankind's few remaining predators.
Where will it stop? With the libtards arresting us just because we tried to overthrow the country?
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I mean, first they forced me to wear a vile disgusting mask that makes me feel slightly uncomfortable, just to prevent a life threatening disease.
Now they are making me get a single flu shot to stop on of mankind's few remaining predators.
Where will it stop? With the libtards arresting us just because we tried to overthrow the country?
That's funny. Trumpwin's Law only took a few posts to play in, but, well played.
Interestingly, the Capital invaders, perhaps expecting Presidential pardons for any resulting federal charges, find themselves abandoned today like the Cuban exiles at The Bay of Pigs.
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the Capital invaders, perhaps expecting Presidential pardons for any resulting federal charges
I'd like to know how many expected that.
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Hi, Dr. Mercola!
Re:But the Flu isn't any worse than Influenza. (Score:5, Informative)
Because Mercola's quackery site also panders to his readership of people without foreheads by using phraseology like "some weird mRNA reprogramming things that have not been properly tested..."
In actual fact, messenger RNA tech is what allowed the first vaccine to be produced two days - literally two days - after the virus was sequenced. Since that date, the vaccine has gone through the FDA's standard set of test stages. "Warp speed" applied to production of the vaccines, not testing.
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Everything you said is false. I would try to disprove it, but anyone that believes that will not be convinced by the truth.
But I will teach others that read your crap the truth:
Masks do cause lung problems if you do not clean them or throw them out. If you are an idiotic slob, they are safe. The bacteria in them however, came from you and therefore cannot harm you.
The mRNA thing is not weird, it has been tested for over a decade. It was used to create the vaccine and is NOT IN THE VACCINE. The fact y
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Ofc there is mRNA in the vaccine. That is the damn point about it!
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Seems like the Covid-19 vaccines were subject to extensive testing. The only vaccine out there that did not undergo trials was the Russian Sputnik-V.
T-Virus? (Score:1)
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mentioned T cells, heh. Producted in bone marrow, they mature in the thymus, which is what the 'T' stands for.
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Good argument that such treatments and therapies should considered vital public goods and thusly owned by the public and not a for-profit entity. Considering the amount of public funds that are used for research of such therapies it should stand to reason they should un-patentable as well. Follow the thread and the idea that all healthcare should not be tied to a profit model starts to make sense as well, both economically as well as morally.
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The Flu vaccine is an odd (and idiotic) exception to the rule in the world of vaccines. Most vaccines you receive (especially critical ones such as MMR and Polio) provide years of protections. Sometimes you need a series of boosters, but overall, they're extremely effective.
The flu vaccine that we have today is a bad joke in comparison. It has done quite a bit to undermine public confidence in vaccines in general.
Producing lasting protection against potential future strains of Influenza A would be a Gods
Influenza, Rhinovirus, RSV, and Coronavirus (Score:2)
We need a broad spectrum shot that zaps all four .. it'll get rid of about 75% of colds and the flu which would eliminate a lot of inconvenience.
"On average, adults get 4 to 6 colds per year, while children get 6 to 8 of them. Colds cause about 500 FP visits per 1000 patients per year. Because colds occur all year round, the total burden of illness caused by them is greater than the burden caused by seasonal influenza."
This would reduce the demand for hospital services which in turn would reduce the cost of
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Some cold fusion would be nice too. And flying cars.