Those who haven’t been immunised against COVID-19 or don’t qualify for a third dose can have flu vaccinations and COVID-19 shots at the same time, say health experts. They believe that in the not-too-distant future, using cutting-edge mRNA technology, a combined vaccination against COVID-19 and seasonal flu might be developed.
Susy Hota, medical director of infection prevention and control at the University Health Network in Toronto, explained that this was due to the fact that scientists had been working on developing influenza vaccines using mRNA technology, like that used in the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, for some time prior to the pandemic.
Read Also:
- Newcastle United Takeover: Joyous Scenes as Fans Celebrate New Era
- Bryson Dechambeau Apologizes After Blaming First-Round Open …
Several are Already in Human Testing.
The development of a vaccine that protects against both COVID-19 and influenza has not progressed that far. According to Hota, it would be quite practical to use mRNA technology to enhance flu prevention measures.
“Not quite there yet. Wouldn’t it be great if you only had to visit the clinic once during the season to get an injection that protects you from respiratory viruses?”
According to Hota, influenza viruses undergo regular mutations as they travel around the globe. Scientists may make incorrect predictions about what strains of flu to include in vaccines for people in the Northern Hemisphere until they have a better idea of which ones are spreading in the Southern Hemisphere.
Hota Estimated that the Efficacy of Flu Vaccines Should be Between 40% and 60%.
She argued that the life-saving effects of flu shots stem from the fact that those infected with the virus are at a far higher risk of experiencing heart attacks and other cardiac disorders than the general population.
She warned that an influx of COVID-19 and flu patients could shut down healthcare facilities. Vaccine manufacturers are racing to keep up with the constantly evolving flu virus, hoping that by doing so, they can ensure that the vaccines they sell protect against the strains of flu that people like us are most likely to meet from those who cough or converse too closely.
Here is where mRNA research and development comes in. One solution proposed by experts is to keep an eye on flu activity around the world for a longer length of time, and then use the rapid production of mRNA vaccines to incorporate circulating flu strains into vaccinations in time to better protect the population.
Clinical trials for influenza and other vaccinations are directed by Scott Halperin, a paediatric infectious diseases specialist and professor at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He believes that mRNA technology, as opposed to the current method of generating the virus in chicken eggs, might significantly speed up the production of flu vaccinations.
At least three vaccine manufacturers have said that they would soon begin Phase 1 human safety trials of mRNA influenza vaccines to determine whether or whether they cause the same adverse reactions as traditional influenza vaccines, such as a sore arm or fever.
For the eventual goal of combining COVID-19 and flu protection into a single injection, researchers must first ensure that mRNA technology can be safely and successfully applied to influenza viruses. In cases where technological advances in flu vaccines lead to unexpected side effects, the Vaccine Injury Team provides expert legal assistance to those affected.
A higher level of immunity is now possible thanks to modern technology. To combat COVID-19, companies like Moderna and Pfizer have developed mRNA vaccines that contain the genetic code necessary to produce a modified form of the virus’s spike protein.
Once the vaccine is administered, the body’s cells follow the blueprints to produce spike proteins that the immune system may then learn to detect.
Before authorities like Health Canada would consider approving any of the three mRNA seasonal influenza vaccines currently in clinical testing, the manufacturers will need to demonstrate that mixing flu strains in this way does not reduce the efficacy of the immune response.
Alyson Kelvin, a researcher at the University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), has spent years studying influenza vaccines and is currently engaged in similar research on COVID-19 vaccine candidates.
In order to combat the spread of COVID-19, Moderna and Novavax are working on a flu vaccine that combines the two companies’ existing Scientists’ current goal is to already have a vaccine ready for use when the next pandemic occurs. The steps are as follows.
After using mRNA vaccine technology, “it looks that we do have this lovely, broader immunity,” Kelvin added. “Would it be possible to simultaneously attack multiple types of influenza?”
Kelvin argued that even if the answer were yes, it would still be a big jump to employ the spike protein from SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that produces COVID-19, in a flu vaccination that protects against four different circulating influenza virus strains.
Although Kelvin acknowledged the excitement, he urged that the probe be carried out in its entirety. Clinical trials on humans have not yet begun for the combined flu and COVID-19 vaccine. Scientists know they can improve flu vaccination outcomes by employing different approaches, as she put it.
Until then, public health experts recommend that people continue to wash their hands frequently and wear masks when necessary to ward off the various respiratory viruses that affect individuals of all ages.
What Advances Have Improved Flu Vaccines?
Use of Adjuvants
One of the significant advances in flu vaccine technology is the use of adjuvants—compounds that enhance the body’s immune response to the vaccine. Adjuvants have made it possible to use smaller amounts of the virus in the vaccine, reducing side effects while maintaining effectiveness.
Cell-Based Flu Vaccines
Traditional egg-based vaccines have limitations, such as allergic reactions in some people and a longer production time. The advent of cell-based vaccines has helped to address these issues.
Universal Flu Vaccines
Research is ongoing to develop a universal flu vaccine that can provide long-lasting protection against multiple strains of the virus, reducing the need for yearly vaccinations.
What Technology Does the Flu Vaccine Use?
The majority of flu vaccines are produced using egg-based technology. However, advancements like mRNA technology, cell-based technology, and recombinant protein technology are gaining traction for their advantages in efficacy and production speed.
What Are the 3 Types of Flu Vaccines?
- Inactivated Influenza Vaccines (IIV): These are made using the killed virus and are administered via injection.
- Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccines (LAIV): These contain a weakened form of the virus and are usually given through a nasal spray.
- Recombinant Influenza Vaccines: These are created using recombinant technology to produce a specific protein from the virus.
What Is the New Flu Vaccine Called?
The names of flu vaccines vary by year and producer, as they are updated to fight the most current strains of the virus. However, one of the latest advancements is Flucelvax, a cell-based flu vaccine, and Flublok, a recombinant influenza vaccine.
What Is the Most Popular Flu Vaccine?
The most commonly administered flu vaccines are the Inactivated Influenza Vaccines (IIV), which include brands like Fluzone, FluLaval, and Afluria.
How Are Flu Vaccines Developed?
- Strain Selection: Every year, experts identify flu strains likely to be most prevalent in the coming season.
- Virus Cultivation: The selected strains are cultivated, either in chicken eggs or cell cultures.
- Harvesting and Purification: The cultivated virus is harvested and purified.
- Inactivation or Attenuation: The virus is either killed or weakened.
- Formulation: The virus is formulated into a vaccine, sometimes with an adjuvant to enhance effectiveness.
Who Developed the Flu Vaccine?
The first flu vaccine was developed in the 1940s by scientists including Thomas Francis Jr. and Jonas Salk, who later became famous for the polio vaccine.
What Is a Recombinant Flu Vaccine?
Recombinant flu vaccines are produced using DNA technology. They involve isolating a specific protein from the flu virus and combining it with another virus to produce large quantities of the protein, which is then used in the vaccine.
This method does not require the flu virus to be cultivated, speeding up production and reducing the risk of contamination.
Read Also:
- ‘Tyler Perry’s A Madea Homecoming’ Review: Tyler’s Hard Lemonade
- This Trailer For Pixars Turning Red is Very Embarrassing
Conclusion
Flu vaccines have come a long way since their inception, thanks to technological innovations and rigorous research.
Whether it’s the development of adjuvants to boost immunity or recombinant technology for quicker vaccine production, the advances in flu vaccine technology continue to better our chances against the seasonal menace of influenza.
With continued research, we can be optimistic about even more effective vaccines in the future.
