The Acambis biotechnology firm is working on a vaccine that they say could provide lifelong protection against all forms of flu with a single shot.
Mutating Viruses
Between 500,000 and 1 million people die every year from the influenza virus. Current flu vaccines work by immunizing recipients against two proteins found on the surface of flu viruses. However, these proteins mutate rapidly, which means new vaccines must constantly be developed.
Acambis is attempting to develop a vaccine that focuses on a different protein, called M2, which does not mutate. If successful, it is possible that the vaccine could protect against all strains of the virus.
Still Far Off
The vaccine has only been tested in animals thus far. It could take several years before large-scale human trials are possible.
Many scientists believe that, despite Acambis' claims, a truly universal flu vaccine is still a long way off.
