# 1769
The big `news' this morning is apparently Japan's efforts to create a `universal' flu vaccine - one that would work across multiple strains of influenza - including pandemic flu.
I count at least a half-dozen wire stories on this story, including:
UPDATE 1-Japan seeks new form of flu vaccine, investors jump Reuters - Investment 11:43
Japan to make vaccines for multiple strains of flu Reuters - Science 10:15
Japan seeks new form of flu vaccine (Reuters) Yahoo! US - Health 10:11
Japan closer to bird flu vaccine The Sydney Morning Herald - General 08:22
Universal bird flu vaccine hopes raised The Herald Sun - Breaking News 07:48
Creating a universal influenza vaccine would save countless lives and prevent the loss of billions of dollars of productivity each year - so this is a laudable goal.
It is, however, still a goal. One that is likely years from being realized
The furor today appears to be due to investor reaction to media reports on this research. The company (NOF Corp) conducting these studies saw their stock go up 21% overnight.
This is how the Herald Sun out of Australia covered the story:
Universal bird flu vaccine hopes raised
Article from: Agence France-PresseBy Miwa Suzuki in Tokyo
March 10, 2008 06:41pm
JAPANESE researchers today said they had paved the way to develop an all-round vaccine to protect people from bird flu, including potential mutations that could set off a global pandemic.
The new method entails injecting people with a tiny bit of fat known as a liposome.
It carries on its surface an antigen, the molecule that triggers a response in the immune system.
Current bird flu vaccines rely on the immune system's ability to attack the virus itself, but they become ineffective if the virus mutates.
The new method "targets the inside of the virus, rather than its surface," as the inside structure of the virus rarely changes, said Tetsuya Uchida, the researcher on the project at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases.
(Cont.)
Important research that may someday remove the scourge of influenza from our society in much the same way that Polio was eradicated. It is, however, a bit soon to be popping the Champaign corks.
Towards the end of the article we get this caveat:
The team aims to start tests using mice implanted with human genes from April, Mr Uchida said, adding that it would be years until their research is put to practical use as a flu vaccine.
I've no doubt that someday scientists will find a universal vaccine for influenza. Researchers appear to be edging closer to that discovery every year.
Something to hope for. But not something to gamble on.
Until it happens, we have to assume it won't in time for the next pandemic, and plan accordingly.
