Researchers at the University of Melbourne are working on a universal flu shot, which can target distinct influenza strains and provide immunity against flu for a lifetime.

Currently, scientists have to develop flu vaccines each year based on specific virus strains. A universal flu shot may be regarded as the Holy Grail in modern medical science.

Katherine Kedzierska, an associate professor at the University of Melbourne, suggests that their research may have developed a way that can kill flu causing cells and also memorize various flu strains for protection against future flu infection. The technology may result in a universal flu jab, which can be given to a person as lifelong protection against influenza.

The study started after the outbreak of avian flu H7N9 virus in China in 2013. About 99 percent of humans infected with the virus were hospitalized and the infection resulted in the deaths of 30 percent of the patients.

Kedzierska reveals that nobody was immune to H7N9 but doctors were able to contain the virus. However, similar viruses can spread infection and kill millions of people.

The study involved examining T cells in the body, which are responsible for tackling new viruses that infect the body. Kedzierska suggests that they collected samples from patients of the influenza outbreak in China and found that those who were unable to make T cells were dying of the flu infection. The findings encouraged the researchers to develop a vaccine for fighting influenza based on T cells.

Kedzierska suggests that their breakthrough research has the possibility to develop a vaccine that can offer protection against new flu viruses.

"This work will also help clinicians to make early predictions of how well a patient's immune system will respond to viruses so they can manage early interventions such as artificial ventilation more effectively, particularly in cases where the patient is at risk of dying," says Kedzierska.

Flu affects thousands of people worldwide. As flu virus strain may differ from one year to another, health agencies advice people to get flu shot specific for that year. However, many people do not take flu vaccine regularly and sometimes fall ill. A universal flu jab that can offer protection for life will eliminate the need for yearly vaccination and help reduce flu-related mortality rate across the world.

The study has been published in the journal Nature Communications.

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