A new oral flu vaccine may be even more effective than the traditional shot in preventing many different flu virus strains, including bird flu and swine flu, according to a new study.
ABC News reported on the findings from the International Vaccine Institute in Korea where researchers administered the flu vaccine under the tongues of mice.
The specific antigen used, known as matrix protein 2, or M2, was shown to be as effective when used orally as when it's injected.
What's more, researchers said the orally introduced M2 helped lung immunity in a way not seen with injections.
Dr. William Schaffner, professor and chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center told ABC News that exactly why this was the case was "a mystery."
Nevertheless, plans are currently being considered to test the oral vaccination in humans, according to a news release published on Medical News Today.
"Clearly, if these promising findings obtained in laboratory animals can be reproduced in humans, they will represent a major milestone in the [International Vaccine Institute's research and development] agenda," Deputy Director-General for Laboratory Sciences Dr. Cecil Czerkinsky said in the release.
Details of the study, which was led by Dr. Man-ki Song and Dr. Haryoung Poo, were published in the Nov. 30 issue of the journal PLoS ONE.
The study is the latest step in the ongoing effort to create a universal flu vaccine capable of keeping up with the constantly mutating virus. Earlier this year, scientists discovered an antibody with the potential to beat both of the main groups of influenza A, which includes the H1N1, or swine flu, strain.
The development could also be welcomed by those looking to avoid the needle and, in turn, lead to an increase in the total number of people vaccinated. According to a recent Consumer Reports survey, only 37 percent of people said they planned to get a flu shot this year.
Source: www.huffingtonpost.com
