14 DAY TRIAL // A study recently published in the journal Nature Medicine details how, by analyzing the makeup of several viruses, scientists at the Imperial College London have managed to piece together a so-called blueprint for a universal flu vaccine.
In their paper, the researchers explain that each virus comprises an inner core and an outer layer of proteins.
Whereas the inner core is pretty much the same for the most common flu strains, the proteins surrounding it differ greatly from one strain to another.
Presently, vaccines meant to teach the body how to tackle various flu strains work by targeting this layer of proteins. More precisely, they train the body to recognize the specific proteins that accompany different flu strains and then attack the virus.
Said researchers argue that, by focusing on the common inner core instead of the outer layer of proteins, it might be possible to create a universal flu vaccine that could even protect people against emerging flu strains, Inhabitat reports.
Granted, the vaccine may prove useless against certain strains, yet it would surely help reduce the number of flu-related deaths reported on a yearly basis.
According to the Imperial College London scientists, it will probably be another five years until a universal flu vaccine is created.