Hong Kong researchers develop needle-free flu vaccine with broad protection

HONG KONG, May 10 (Xinhua) -- The Faculty of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong recently announced that its research team has achieved a significant breakthrough in developing broadly protective, live-attenuated influenza vaccines (LAIV).

Researchers from the university said that while vaccination is the most effective way to prevent influenza, current seasonal vaccines only cover specific virus strains and require annual updates. If the circulating virus does not match the selected vaccine strains, the effectiveness may decrease.

The research team has developed two innovative strategies to create a new generation of LAIV. The first strategy involved inserting specific genes into the influenza virus to activate natural human antibodies, thereby enhancing the vaccine-induced immune response.

The second strategy introduced silent mutations into human influenza viruses, shifting their codon usage from that of a human influenza virus to that of an avian influenza virus-like pattern, making it safe for use as an LAIV.

Studies have shown that both strategies can protect against multiple subtypes of influenza A viruses.

"The advantages of LAIVs lie in their intranasal administration, which has been shown to induce mucosal immune responses along the respiratory tract, providing additional protection against infection," Leo Poon Lit-man, a professor from the university's faculty of medicine, said, adding that the needle-free delivery method alleviated the fear of vaccination, particularly in young children. ■