Australian researchers have discovered that certain immune cells, present in half of the world’s population, would be effective against all influenza viruses.
Already more than 1,800 deaths attributable to the flu have been recorded since the start of winter in France. “There are two viruses circulating, recently explained the Minister of Health Agnès Buzyn on Europe 1. This is increasingly the case and that is why the vaccine tries to cover different strains. On the classic virus , the A strain, the vaccine covers about 50% of people, and on the other virus that is circulating, the coverage is very poor, at 20%”.
Cells found in half of the world’s population
Results that legitimize the research work initiated by the scientific community to develop a universal vaccine. And precisely, it would seem that Australian researchers have managed to identify immune cells that could help.
As they explain in the review Nature Immunology, these “killer” immune cells would be present in half of the world’s population and effective against all types of influenza virus. Ideal therefore to create a universal vaccine, which would also act in people deprived of these “super” cells. “This is an extraordinary advance (…) which could lead to a vaccine that we would not have to modify every year”, declared the Australian team.
For the moment, the constant genetic modifications of influenza viruses mean that the composition of the vaccine must be adjusted every year in order to introduce the most recent strains in circulation. This is why it is recommended to get vaccinated every year. It is precisely “the WHO’s global network for the surveillance of influenza which establishes the composition of the vaccine, recalls the Pasteur Institute. It brings together WHO Collaborating Centers from around the world and is responsible for monitoring viruses circulating in humans and rapidly identifying new strains. Based on the information collected by the network, the WHO recommends the composition of the vaccine each year to be effective against the three most recent strains in circulation.
250,000 to 500,000 deaths per year
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), between 3 and 5 million serious cases and 250,000 to 500,000 deaths are recorded each year in the world due to influenza viruses. Hospitalizations and deaths occur mainly in vulnerable populations (elderly people, pregnant women, chronically ill people, young children, etc.). In France, the flu affects between 2 and 8 million people each year depending on the Influenza Expertise and Information Group and causes between 1,500 and 2,000 deaths, mainly among those over 65.
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