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Regular flu vaccines can protect against a broad range of viruses, including deadly H7N9

Regular flu vaccines can protect against a broad range of viruses, including deadly H7N9

Written by Poorva Chavan |Published : February 19, 2015 10:09 AM IST

While the recent scare of an outbreak of bird flu have been successfully averted, the findings of a new study can help in case of any new outbreak. the study conducted at the University of Chicago has found antibodies that can protect against H7N9 avian flu. These antibodies were isolated from individuals who received seasonal flu vaccinations. This antibody protection which emerged in China, accounts for a small percentage of the total immune response but can effectively neutralise H7 viruses, which opens up new possibilities of therapeutic treatment against a wide range of influenza strains.

The study co-author Patrick Wilson informed that the aim of the study is to amplify the normal response of the immune system to flu vaccines which offer protection against dangerous and highly unique strains of influenza such as H7N9.(Read: Have Chinese scientists made a breakthrough against the H7N9 virus?)

The researchers observed these antibodies which are generated due to the normal flu vaccine are found in almost everyone who has been vaccinated and offer cross protection H7N9 but are not always foolproof. However, Wilson, informed that these findings will be exploited on a larger scale to make vaccines and therapeutics that may offer broad protection against influenza strains.The study is published in the journal of Clinical Investigation. (Read: Potential treatment for drug-resistant H7N9 influenza virus comes closer to reality)

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