The universal flu vaccine is claimed to be able to fight various types of flu viruses.
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Efforts to present flu vaccine universal seems to be one step closer. The National Institutes of Health has just announced that candidates universal flu vaccine they developed has entered phase I clinical trials.
The universal flu vaccine is an effective flu vaccine against all strain influenza virus, regardless of virus subtype, antigenic driftor antigenic shift-nya. So far, the available flu vaccine is a more targeted seasonal flu vaccine strain and certain viral subtypes so that the vaccination must be repeated every year.
Prior to entering phase I clinical trials, candidate universal flu vaccines have been tested on animals. In these tests, the vaccine appeared to protect animals exposed to a variety of strain influenza at a fatal dose.
The universal flu vaccine candidate, named BPL-1357, was developed by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). This BPL-1357 contains four strain virus avian influenza weakened and unable to reproduce. Like the seasonal flu vaccine, BPL-1357 can be given by injection or nasal spray.
In this phase I clinical trial for BPL-1357, 100 adults were involved as participants. The participants involved were aged 18-55 years and were randomly divided into three groups.
The first group received a single dose of BPL-1357 in the form of an injection. The second group received one dose of BPL-1357 in the form of a nasal spray. While the third group received a placebo in the form of injections and nasal sprays.
After the vaccine and placebo were administered, all participants were closely monitored by the research team. They were also asked to undergo blood tests and tests swab nose regularly for seven months.
The main objective of conducting this phase I clinical trial is to determine the safety of this vaccine candidate in humans. In addition, the samples obtained from the participants will also provide an overview for the research team about what the possible performance of BPL-1357 in building an immune response against the influenza virus. Phase I clinical trials are expected to be completed next year.
“Influenza vaccines that can provide long-term protection against a variety of seasonal influenza viruses as well as the potential for a pandemic will be an invaluable public health tool,” said NIAID Director Anthony Fauci, as reported by the press. Gizmodo, Tuesday (5/7/2022).
So far, BPL-1357 has shown excellent performance in studies before clinical trials. The research team hopes that this vaccine candidate can also perform well in phase I clinical trials.
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