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A Newer, Faster Flu Vaccine

Posted by: biologyblog | February 15, 2009 | 3 Comments |



by Lexi P

Currently in the United States many people were given the flu shot either by a doctor or even now a CVS pharmacy. This article shows how scientists have now come up with a faster flu vaccine that turns infinitesimal amounts of DNA into this new effective vaccine. It is done by a spraying technique, which sprays viral genes directly through the skin. However it is not approved yet! If this new vaccine is approved for humans to use, the new technique could help save many lives in case of a flu outbreak.

“John Beadle, a researcher from the Infectious Disease and Oncology department at PowderMed, Ltd. in London, says, ‘The traditional way of making vaccines has a number of significant drawbacks.’” They are saying that the biggest drawback to vaccines are the amount of time it takes to make them, which could take to long to save people from the flu or other diseases.

Some questions that I have are based on the new technique. How could we know if the spray will take a positive effect on everyone, if they are rushing to compete the procedure? Also, will the new technique of vaccines still make the patient sick with the virus like the one we use now?

“The Center for Disease Control estimates that more than 200,000 people in the U.S. are hospitalized each year as a result of the flu, and more than 30,000 die from it. Globally, the flu kills close to half a million people every year.”

Source: Science Daily.

under: Human Biology, Immune, Medicine, Student Post
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It seems as though it would be beneficial to have such a flu vaccine. It would end up being less expensive for people who cannot get medical insurance since they would not have to go to the doctor’s to do it. And many people would be less scared of a spray than they are of a shot. But since it has the potential to be used so much, could it become overused? Would people start developing immunities toward it? Since it does not go straight and definitely into the blood stream, might it not end up working at all in some cases?

This is a huge step to have a potential newer, faster vaccine to prevent people from getting the flu. You asked, “How could we know if the spray will take a positive effect on everyone, if they are rushing to compete the procedure?” To try and answer this question is that we don’t know if the spray will have a positive effect on everyone. Each individual is different and there can be a number of different side effects. They can’t be rushing because they may not get it right. To have the best effect in saving lives is to take it a step at a time, to make sure they get it right.

To me it seems like the idea behind this new flu vaccine is great. Who wouldn’t want a flu vaccine that works better, faster, takes less money and less time to make. However, they should be taking the time to make sure that they are doing everything effectivly. It wouldn’t be hepful to rush to have it done in time, have the first batch out during flu season and in turn having more people get sick from it. We are going to have to wait and see if it gets approved or not

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