Lifetime flu jab 'in sight'

September 8, 2008

A VACCINE that could give permanent protection against all forms of

flu is being developed by scientists.

The once-in-a-lifetime vaccine could do away with the need for an

annual jab, researchers at England's Oxford University said.

Vaccines are presently given every winter to match different

circulating strains. If successful, the new vaccine could be a key

weapon against a flu pandemic because stockpiles could be made in advance.

Lead researcher Dr Gilbert said the vaccine could be used in as

few as five years, once safety and efficacy tests had been done.

" With having to make a new vaccine every year, there's never enough to

go around, " she said.

" With this vaccine, we could end up having pretty much everyone

vaccinated - a situation more like measles, where you don't really

need it any more. Children would be protected and we'd see economic

benefits through reduced sickness in workers.

" The elderly would be better off through lack of exposure to flu. "

Australian flu expert Dr Alan Hampson said a once-off vaccine was the

" holy grail " of influenza research and was being pursued by several

teams, including at the University of Melbourne.

Dr Hampson, of the World Health Organisation's Collaborating Centre

for Reference and Research on Influenza at Parkville, warned achieving

one was " an incredibly difficult thing to do " .

" This would be a very nice thing to have, but I think it is a long way

from being a proven protection, " he said.

In Australia, 80 per cent of over 65s are vaccinated against influenza

each year. - DAILY MAIL

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