Canada-based McMaster University researchers are one step closer to developing a universal vaccine for all influenza strains, according to Was the ICD-10 transition really that terrible? 5 observations.
Here are five quick points:
1. The flu kills between 250,000 and 500,000 people globally every year, according to the World Health Organization.
2. The researchers found an antibody class that tells the immune system to identify a piece of the flu virus that doesn't change from season to season.
3. The researchers now know where the antibodies bind, so they are working on modifying vaccines to generate high amounts of those antibodies.
4. The goal is to create a vaccine that is administered one time, protecting people from every flu strain.
5. The researchers are hopeful they can develop a universal flu vaccine within the next five years.
