Researchers developing DNA flu vaccine

Wednesday, January 3, 2018
Researchers developing DNA flu vaccine
Researchers developing DNA flu vaccine. Ali Gorman, R.N. reports during Action News at 5 p.m. on January 3, 2017.

The new flu vaccine is based on the DNA elements of the virus, the elements that don't change year to year.

As of now, flu vaccines are grown in eggs and scientists have to predict 6 months ahead of time which strains will be covered.

But the viruses can change and that's what leads to a less-effective vaccine.

So to get around that, the University of Washington is developing a flu vaccine using the DNA of the virus that doesn't change, so it can cover all strains.

It's also delivered differently - a device called a gene gun pushes it directly into skin cells with air pressure.

Your skin cells then produce antibodies to create immunity.

Researchers have finished animal trials, and are about to begin testing the vaccine in people.

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