A single jab that could give lifelong protection against all types of flu has produced promising results in human trials.
The vaccine, made by Acambis, should protect against all strains of influenza A – the cause of pandemics.
Currently, winter flu jabs have to be regularly redesigned because the flu virus keeps changing. The new vaccine would overcome this and could be stockpiled in advance of a bird flu outbreak, say experts.
Promising results
Each year winter flu kills around 4,000 people in the UK. Globally, between 500,000 and one million people die each year from influenza. But a pandemic of the human form of bird flu, which experts believe is inevitable, could kill as many as 50m people worldwide. The US trials show that the jab is safe and it works fast to make the body immune against flu. Nine out of 10 of those who had two doses of the jab ACAM-FLU-A developed antibodies against flu virus. Scientists at Acambis are now working to perfect the formulation before doing larger human trials. Dr Michael Watson of Acambis said: “As a universal vaccine, ACAM-FLU-A can potentially overcome many of the drawbacks of existing influenza vaccines. “It can be manufactured at any time of the year, and could be stockpiled in advance of a pandemic or potentially used routinely to ensure population protection against future pandemics.”
Unique action
Current flu vaccines work by giving immunity to two proteins called haemagglutinin and neuraminidase, which are found on the surface of flu viruses. However, these proteins keep mutating which means doctors have to keep making new vaccines to keep up. The Acambis vaccine homes in on a different protein, called M2, which is found on the surface of all A-strains of flu and does not appear to mutate so readily. Professor Ian Jones, a University of Reading virologist, said the jab could end the scramble to produce a new winter jab each year. But he said it would still be some years before it was widely available for patients. “Larger trials and tests on a wider range of viruses will be needed before the full potential for pandemic protection can be assured,” he said.
[via: BBC News]
this post reminds me of I Am Legend :P
Still haven’t seen the movie, got a copy here, will take it home with me :)
Hmm..
Retrosaint, that’s exactly what I was thinking hahaha!
I’ve not seen it yet, but i’ve been told ‘good’ things.
Here’s to hoping that the ‘cure’ works. Although, from what I understand is that the Flu is a for-ever mutating virus. A little bit of a bitch to nip in the butt.
Right, I got a copy, I will watch the movie the minute I get home :)
yeah it’s a good watch.
I felt a little let down when i left the movie house was kinda expecting to walk out and have one of those “dude, did u check that scene where…” discussions with my mates, but i didn’t get that.
Although i have to admit that Will Smith acts bloody well in the movie.. my 2c’s.
Watch it, Enjoy it and than hopefully we can Discuss it :P
Ye man, I can relate. I watch Beawolf (or however you spell it) and all i can say is, wtf was Hopkins thinking acting in such shit? :’(
lol – yeah i been in two minds about beowolf, so decided to leave it for a DVD.
I watched “We Own The Night” last night.. another freakin let down. One of those movies where all the action scenes are in the trailer and the actual movie is so slow.
Any recommendations on good movies from your side you’ve seen lately?
Ah hell..
I’m busy downloading that atm, so I had something decent to watch tonight :’(
Hmm, a good movie.. honestly, nothing’s popping into my head man. Sad.
Though, I wouldn’t mind getting hold of that new SA movie – “Big Oaks” I think it’s titled that. Any ideas where i’d be able to get my grubby hands on it?
nope, got no clue what it’s about.
finding south african productions are often harder than international stuff. I remember trying to find music by watershed or whatever they called – was a mission!
[we are totally hijacking this post hahaha]
Ye, i know – SA stuff’s harder to find on the www than a hetrosexual Priest.. There’s that NINJA torrent site that’s normally quite good, but i’ve lost my login details :’(
Let me know if you find anything ey? P.S. if you’re looking for SA music, I have a LOT.. mail me some requests and i’m sure that I could help you out.
CJC
On the topic of the vaccine – I’m not sure that it’s such a good idea. Call me old-fashioned but I believe that our bodies should build it’s own resistance against viral infections or it will get lazy and lose the ability to do so eventually.
As for the I am legend movie, thanks for the heads up :-) I was actually planning to go see that this week sometime, guess I’ll wait for DVD.
hehe sorry Mills, x1 jacked post. :)
yeah i checked on NINJA.. and i can’t see anything on there yet.. will keep a eye open.
thanks for the music offer, will let you know when i need to update my playlist.
peace.
Totally hi jacked, but totally cool :)
I got a copy now on my home PC, so I will give it a watch this evening. I’ve been finding that every single movie I watch these days, I feel rather let down afterwards. It’s as though everything has been done and the directors and producers are struggling to find new material.
I watched ‘The Number 23′ a few days ago and felt that the movie was pretty good. Interesting out take on life and the way people think and it’s something I could relate too as I’m a number guy and I must admit that there were parts of the film which woke thoughts I had had many years ago. I also figured out the plot after only 20mins of the film lol, the dogs name NED (14 5 4) gave it away ;) Doesn’t spoil the movie though by me telling you that, give it a watch – interesting film. Although, retrosaint – there was a strange negative feeling to it, you might not like that vibe.
Wow, that paragraph took a while to write, lol, it’s been a very hectic day, sjoe!
Chat to you guys soon I hope!
Louisa – Once again your comments are being withheld, sorry about that!
I’m very anti medication and also feel that our bodies should be fighting for themselves, but at the same time, there are people who have bodies which aren’t strong enough, so in light of that, there are advantages..
Agreeable?
Agreeable *nods* But it’s not just them using it though…It’s becoming the norm rather than the exception which concerns me.
Don’t stress about the comments. As long as you release them when you find them I’m happy…it will snap out of it eventually I’m sure.
I ended up watching Loathing in LVegas last night..
All i can say is, if i hadn’t come into contact with drugs, i would have been like “WTFFFFF” the whole way through.
With that said, it was classic. Classicly odd! But enjoyable. They don’t make em like they used to!
Cool Louisa, well this one you just posted appeared right away, which is a good sign :)
Riply.. hell ya bro, it’s a seriously awesome movie!
You don’t “Nip in the butt” You nip in the BUD, as in removing a budding flower from a plant.
Ah, is that the correct wording :)
Thanks Janie!