Sparks recently sat down to talk with researcher Dr Qibo Zhang from the University of Liverpool about his research into influenza virus vaccinations. Dr Zhang and his team are working to develop a universal influenza (flu) vaccine by targeting viral components that do not change from season to season. If successful, the new vaccine could offer more broad and long term immunity. Currently, the process of identifying flu strains and producing new vaccines each season is costly and time consuming. The invention of a broad immunity vaccine could allow those resources to go to better use.
Flu symptoms are painful –including fever, headache and sneezing –but the flu virus can lead to more serious conditions such as lung infection, pneumonia and possibly death. Everyone gets the flu, but it is especially common in young children. Dr Zhang explains, “Giving children a stronger immunity against the virus can be an effective strategy to stop the spread.” Dr Zhang is a highly experienced researcher within the infection and immunity community, and he is particularly interested in the developments of new vaccines which could be more effective than current treatments.
Currently, flu vaccines are administered traditionally by injection, however some newer vaccines, including the intra-nasal spray, have started being administered in the UK. Using an intra-nasal spray vaccine would be more convenient and less costly while staying just as effective. If their results are positive, Dr Zhang and his team are hoping to offer more long term, broad immunity against the influenza virus.
Dr Zhang tells us, “Without the support of charities like Sparks, we wouldn’t be able to carry out innovative medical research to produce therapeutic medicine, including vaccines, against infections that kill people every year.”
For more information about Dr Zhang and his research project, visit our research page.