FED: Australian researchers move closer to universal flu vaccine
30 Apr 2009 2:30 AM
Subject: FED: Australian researchers move closer to universal flu vaccine FED: Australian researchers move closer to universal flu vaccine
Australian scientists are a step closer to creating a universal flu vaccine .. which could offer protection against seasonal flu as well as unforeseen outbreaks like the swine flu.
They say a universal vaccine would reduce the need for scientists to update their strain-specific vaccines every winter in a race against the mutating virus.
Adelaide-based Dr MOHAMMED ALSHARIFI is leading a study into a new type of nasal-delivered flu vaccine.
He says he's found it can protect tested mice against deadly the bird flu virus H5N1 along with a standard seasonal flu.
Dr MOHAMMED ALSHARIFI says it works by activating the immune system's T-Cells .. instead of relying alone on the antibody-based defence used by conventional vaccines.
AAP RTV dr/wz/crh =0A
FED: Australian researchers move closer to universal flu vaccine