Influenza

A new direct-to-consumer test designed to detect a number of different respiratory viruses including COVID-19 and influenza has been authorized by the FDA. The test is the first of its kind to be approved that doesn't need a prescription from a doctor.

Researchers have produced a novel nanoparticle-enhanced intranasal influenza vaccine. The results of a preclinical study demonstrate the unique nasal spray inducing robust local and systemic immune responses for over six months in animal models.

Moderna has announced data from its Phase 1/2 human trial testing an mRNA vaccine targeting four strains of influenza. The vaccine was found to be safe and generated antibody responses, however, it may be no more effective than current flu vaccines.

Compelling new preclinical research led by scientists from Yale University has found intranasal vaccination may be more effective at generating immunity against a number of respiratory viruses compared to conventional injection-delivered vaccination.

Moderna has commenced human trials testing an mRNA influenza vaccine targeting four separate viral strains. Building on its successful mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, the company is planning to develop a single vaccine against multiple respiratory viruses.

The influenza virus has proven a very tricky foe to fight. Now, researchers at EPFL have developed synthetic molecules that can kill the flu virus by mimicking human cells, and putting the squeeze on the virus when it attaches itself to the decoy.

A study is the first to report successful results of a Phase 1 trial testing a novel universal flu vaccine. The trial found the experimental vaccine to be both safe and effective at generating a long-term immune response in a small number of adults.

Viruses are a major health risk, but what if we could fight them using other viruses? Scientists in Berlin have created virus shells that mimic the target cells that the flu virus latches onto in the lungs, preventing them from causing infection.

A new study is shedding light on the idea that someone's year of birth can affect susceptibility to different subtypes of the flu, with researchers taking advantage of a rare flu season to uncover rapid shifts in infection trends associated with age.

Viruses are difficult to kill – most of the drugs and chemicals that do are also harmful to human health. But now, scientists have developed a new virucidal substance derived from sugar, making it deadly to a wide range of viruses but safe for us.

Phase 2 human trial results have been published demonstrating the efficacy of an oral form of the influenza vaccine. The trial compared the pill to the most commonly used injectable flu vaccine and found it as safe and effective as its counterpart.

The flu virus mutates quickly and unpredictably, making it hard to develop effective vaccines. Now, researchers have created a drug that protects mice against six different strains of the flu, potentially paving the way for a universal flu vaccine.