Progress made toward universal flu vaccine

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http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2010/05/19/Progress-made-toward-universal-flu-vaccine/UPI-36581274312116/

Progress made toward universal flu vaccine

Published: May 19, 2010 at 7:35 PM

NEW YORK, May 19 (UPI) -- U.S. Medical investigators say they have taken what might be the next step toward development of a universal influenza vaccine.

Researchers at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine of New York University in New York City said they have developed a novel influenza vaccine that might lead to the elimination of seasonal immunizations.

"Current influenza vaccines are effective against only a narrow range of influenza virus strains," Professor Palese said. "It is for this reason that new vaccines must be generated and administered each year. We now report progress toward the goal of an influenza virus vaccine which would protect against multiple strains."

The research is detailed in the American Society for Microbiology online journal mBio.