Scientists make breakthrough in fight against influenza

Scientists at the Imperial College London believe they have taken a major step forwards creating a vaccine for all kinds of flu.

New vaccines have to be made each year as the influenza virus is constantly changing and medications quickly become outdated.

However, this new study suggests that a universal cure can be made by targeting the core material of flu.

Published in the Nature Medicine journal, the team at Imperial tested their theory using a sample of the swine flu virus which caused a pandemic in 2009.

Formed from a mix of bird and pig flu, swine flu had an outer shell which was new to a person's immune system, but its centre was the same as other types of influenza.

The scientists believe a specific part of the immune system known as T-cells can recognise proteins in the core of the virus.

Tests on 342 staff and students at the university found that people with higher levels of these cells have much milder symptoms when hit with flu.

Professor Ajit Lalvani, who led the study, told the BBC that the study provides a blueprint for a vaccine.

"We know the exact subgroup of the immune system and we've identified the key fragments in the internal core of the virus. These should be included in a vaccine," he said.

"In truth, in this case it is about five years [away from a vaccine]. We have the know-how, we know what needs to be in the vaccine and we can just get on and do it."

It is estimated that between 250,000 and 500,000 people die each year after contracting flu, with many of that number being elderly.

Professor John Oxford from Queen Mary University in London, said he it will likely take a long time before the study's findings are translated into a vaccine "that works".

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