Flu molecules could lead to ‘universal vaccine’

Newly discovered flu molecules shared by most strains of the virus could help scientists develop a “universal vaccine”, it has been claimed.

Researchers identified the molecules after subjecting healthy volunteers to flu infections. The team found that participants’ immune systems targeted a specific range of peptides, or protein building blocks, within the internal structure of the flu virus.

Harnessing the immune system’s response to the peptides could produce an all-encompassing multi-strain vaccine, the scientists believe.