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We need updated flu and COVID vaccines this fall as the virus changes. FDA and CDC are already working on updating the COVID vaccine. Plan ahead for your fall flu shot and COVID vaccine to stay ahead of the virus.

Vince agrees that flu is a major pathogen with high virulence and transmissibility. Other pathogens may have one but not the other. The panel focuses on flu proposals, which is a common sentiment among those outside the field as well.

We have been studying epidemics for about forty years, particularly looking at the issue of legislation. Working with animals, such as chickens with bronchitis caused by coronavirus, has been somewhat simpler. Despite thirty years of trying various vaccines, we have not been able to control it effectively. So, why is it that we suddenly find a solution for humans when we have struggled to find one for the flu? How can we achieve this?

Vaccines are seen as magical but expectations should be tempered. Pfizer's vaccine is 95% effective, but efficacy drops over time. Boosters may be needed annually. Moderna is working on a combined flu and COVID vaccine. The future is uncertain, but we must adapt.

Vaccines are often seen as a solution, but expectations may be too high. Initially, a vaccine was touted as providing lifetime immunity, but that may not be realistic. Over time, efficacy rates have dropped significantly, with reports showing effectiveness decreasing from 95% to as low as 33%. Immunity may last only a few months, requiring regular boosters, similar to the flu vaccine. The focus may shift to annual shots rather than a one-time solution. As companies work on combining COVID and flu vaccines, the reality is that COVID is likely here to stay, and ongoing adjustments will be necessary.

mRNA vaccines code for a small part of viral proteins, usually a single antigen. A single mutation can make the vaccine ineffective. This drives antigenic shift, where the vaccine encourages new mutations, prolonging pandemics as the virus mutates to escape the vaccine's protection. Millions caught the Omicron variant despite vaccination because a single mutation can render mRNA vaccines ineffective. The same risk applies to the flu.

The world's perception of influenza needs to change in order to address the problem effectively. There is a possibility of a novel avian virus outbreak in China, which could have devastating consequences. If another pandemic were to occur, millions of people could die within a short period of time. Disruptive and iterative approaches are necessary to tackle this issue. The government has a role to play in pushing the industry to prioritize public health over profit. The perception of influenza is not as serious as other diseases, which makes it difficult to bring about change. Resources need to be allocated more efficiently during crises, and synthetic-based vaccines could revolutionize the field. The goal is to align different capabilities, funding streams, and incentives towards a common goal. More resources and financial incentives could attract new talent to the field.

The FDA is considering simplifying COVID vaccinations to one shot annually, similar to the flu shot. Researchers are also developing an mRNA flu vaccine, leveraging technology used in COVID vaccines. Traditional vaccines introduce weakened germs, while mRNA vaccines teach cells to produce proteins that trigger immune responses. This new flu vaccine could be adjusted more easily for different strains during flu season. Although the mRNA flu vaccine may not be superior to traditional ones, it offers an alternative for those who cannot tolerate existing vaccines. Current studies on mRNA vaccines are also exploring options for Lyme disease, rabies, HIV, and Zika, with results for the flu vaccine expected by March.

The speakers discuss the need for a new and improved method of vaccine production. They acknowledge the challenges of transitioning from the current egg-growing process to a more efficient method. The process of proving the effectiveness of a new vaccine and going through clinical trials can take up to a decade. They suggest the need for a disruptive entity that is not bound by bureaucratic processes to address the problem of influenza. They also mention the possibility of using RNA sequences from novel avian viruses in China to create vaccines that can be self-administered through patches.

The NIH is developing a universal vaccine that addresses the entire phylum of viruses. This vaccine mimics natural immunity and is effective against any kind of mutation. It doesn't drive the virus to mutate. The researchers believe it could be effective not only against coronaviruses but also against influenza. The vaccine is described as much safer and much more effective. The exchange then notes that Mark, did you take your question again? and Mark is prompted to ask his question.

The goal is to stabilize the healthcare system and prevent crisis situations during pandemics. Vaccinating as many people as possible is crucial, and in the future, influenza vaccination could become routine for everyone. Eventually, a universal vaccine may be developed, reducing the need for frequent vaccinations. This would protect people from both seasonal and pandemic flu. This approach benefits both the public and vaccine companies, as they can predict that the majority of the American population will be vaccinated every year, eliminating uncertainty.

We have a more effective vaccine this year compared to last year. It matches the current strains perfectly and has been proven safe with no reported side effects over the past three years.

We can't just shut down our current vaccine system and immediately switch everyone to a new, untested vaccine. To move beyond traditional egg-based vaccine production, which has served us well, we need a demonstrably superior alternative. This requires extensive clinical trials, potentially taking a decade even under ideal circumstances. Perhaps we need a disruptive entity, free from bureaucratic constraints. It’s difficult to alter perceptions of influenza unless we address the problem disruptively and iteratively from within. Imagine if a novel avian virus emerged in China, we could obtain its RNA sequence and transmit it to regional or even local centers, possibly even directly to homes, to print vaccines on patches for self-administration.

The situation has been horrific, leading to a shift in research and development budgets. Current vaccines primarily focus on improving individual health but only slightly reduce transmission. There is a need for a new approach to vaccine development that effectively blocks transmission.

Today, we began a phase one trial on a nanoparticle that uses multiple different hemagglutinins, which are showing great promise. Our goal is to improve flu vaccines by creating a broadly protective influenza vaccine using a computationally designed nanoparticle platform. These nanoparticles display the virus protein repetitively, which triggers a strong immune response. We also discovered that our nanoparticle platform can display multiple hemagglutinins on the same particle, resulting in broader immune responses. In addition to protecting against current seasonal influenza strains, our vaccine also showed protection against H5N1 bird flu and H7N9. This project was done in collaboration with researchers at the NIH's vaccine research center. This is what our nanoparticle mosaic approach towards a universal flu vaccine looks like.

FluBlock utilizes insect cells for rapid manufacturing, representing innovative biotechnology. Traditional flu vaccines require adapting influenza strains to cell or egg cultures, potentially resulting in a vaccine antigen that differs from the circulating antigen. FluBlock, using baculovirus technology, can proceed directly from sequence to manufactured protein faster, eliminating the need for adaptation. This is a key advantage.

In the future, there may be a deadly airborne disease. To effectively deal with it, we need to establish a global infrastructure that enables us to quickly detect, isolate, and respond to such outbreaks. By investing in this infrastructure now, we can be better prepared for future strains of flu, like the Spanish flu, that may emerge in the next five to ten years. It is a wise investment to make.

NIH is pursuing a universal vaccine designed to cover the entire range of viruses, aiming to mimic natural immunity. The developers claim it would be effective against any mutation and would not drive the virus to mutate. They expect the approach could work not only for coronaviruses but also for flu, offering broad protection. They describe the vaccine as safer and more effective than current options. The dialogue centers on ongoing questions as the project advances, emphasizing a shift toward a single, universal solution that could, if successful, provide cross-viral protection and reduce the need for virus-specific vaccines. The statements focus on safety, efficacy, and cross-coverage across coronaviruses and influenza.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Hi, it's Robert F. Kennedy Jr. here, your HHS secretary. At HHS, we have a division called the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, or BARDA. BARDA drives some of our most advanced scientific research. It funds developments of vaccines, drugs, diagnostics, and other tools to fight emerging diseases and national health threats. Over the past few weeks, BARDA reviewed 22 mRNA vaccine development investments and began canceling them. Let me explain why. Most of these shots are for flu or COVID, but as the pandemic showed us, mRNA vaccines don't perform well against viruses that infect the upper respiratory tract. Here's the problem: mRNA only codes for a small part of the viral proteins, usually a single antigen. One mutation and the vaccine becomes ineffective. This dynamic drives a phenomena called antigenic shift, meaning that the vaccine paradoxically encourages new mutations and can actually prolong pandemics as the virus constantly mutates to escape the protective effects of the vaccine. Millions of people, maybe even you or someone you know, caught the omicron variant despite being vaccinated. That's because a single mutation can make mRNA vaccines ineffective. The same risk applies to flu. After reviewing the science and consulting top experts at NIH and FDA, HHS has determined that mRNA technology poses more risk than benefits for these respiratory viruses. That's why after extensive review, BARDA has begun the process of terminating these 22 contracts totaling just under $500,000,000 To replace the troubled mRNA programs, we're prioritizing the development of the safer, broader vaccine strategies, like whole virus vaccines and novel platforms that don't collapse when viruses mutate. Let me be absolutely clear: HHS supports safe, effective vaccines for every American who wants them. That's why we're moving beyond the limitations of mRNA for respiratory viruses and investing in better solutions. Thank you. Produced by the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services.

In the future, there might be a deadly airborne disease. To effectively handle it, we need a global infrastructure that enables us to detect, isolate, and respond to it swiftly. This infrastructure should be in place not only in our country but worldwide. By investing in this infrastructure, we can be better prepared to tackle future outbreaks, such as a new strain of flu similar to the Spanish flu, that may emerge in the next five or ten years.

We're taking a closer look at protecting seniors from the flu, following studies questioning the effectiveness of flu shots for older people. While most flu deaths occur in those 65 and older, mass vaccinations haven't done the job. Despite a sharp increase in seniors getting vaccinated over twenty years, flu deaths among the elderly continue to climb. Studies adjusting for various factors still show that flu shots haven't reduced deaths in this group. This same conclusion has been observed in other countries, including Australia, France, Canada, and The UK. The CDC is exploring new strategies, but still advises seniors to get flu shots, as they might lessen flu severity or prevent other complications. The focus may shift towards vaccinating children and others who could transmit the flu to the elderly.

We only have one old and ineffective licensed vaccine for tuberculosis. To improve this, we aim to use the experience gained from developing effective platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic to create a new and effective tuberculosis vaccine. Today, we received unprecedented commitments from member states, partners, and donors to invest in this initiative. We believe that this new vaccine could be a game-changer. We are inspired and eager to support all stakeholders and work together with them to make this happen.

We are discussing vaccine development in response to new variants and subvariants. Currently, we have the advantage of increased manufacturing capacity compared to 2020. Back then, we only produced 100,000 doses in a year, but now we are capable of producing much more to address the ongoing challenges posed by different strains of the virus.

New vaccines for tuberculosis, malaria, HIV, and COVID-19 are being developed. These vaccines aim to have longer-lasting effects and wider coverage. In addition, instead of using needles, a patch will be used for administration. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought attention to the fact that we have not invested enough in these innovative advancements.