The VTEU research group in the department has been involved in essential research that led to the licensure of live attenuated and high dose inactivated influenza virus vaccines. They have tested vaccines to seasonal influenza and so they have carried out many studies evaluating vaccines focusing on pandemic influenza, including the swine-origin H1N1, and the H5N1, H9N2, and H7N9 viruses, amongst others. They have evaluated methods to improve vaccine immunogenicity, including supply of vaccine by totally different routes of administration, totally different dosages, and with different adjuvant preparations. Fortunately, the 2009 H1N1 flu was delicate to two antiviral drugs used to treat influenza – Tamiflu® and Relenza® . The medication act by inhibiting the important neuraminidase protein (the “N” protein within the naming system).
Flu, or influenza, is a contagious respiratory illness that spreads from person to person by way of the air through coughs or sneezes or via contact …