A new flu vaccine could soon prove to be a game-changer as influenza cases rise in Australia during the lead-up to winter.
A universal flu vaccine known as OVX836 is manufactured in France but will be tested Down Under.
If the trial is successful, the jab could protect people for years at a time and remove the need to get a shot every winter.
The nationwide trial is being led by Dr Paul Griffin and Queensland’s Mater Hospital.
“It gets us better responses from both B and T cells so looks to be one that may work better than the traditional approach,” Griffin said.
“It’s likely that protection will last longer than a traditional vaccine as well and we won’t have to worry about matching it each season.”
Researchers are looking for 600 healthy volunteers aged between 18 and 60 that haven’t had their flu vaccine yet this year.
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The trial will be run in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria.
More than 40,000 cases of influenza have been detected in Australia this year and 44 people have died.
Griffin is warning this year could potentially be as bad as he has ever seen.
“We have to change people’s thinking, make sure people understand the flu is a significant viral infection,” Griffin said.
If you are eligible and would like to take part, registration information is on the Mater Hospital Brisbane website.
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