New approaches needed for future development of flu vaccine

ARLINGTON, Va. — Despite the safety and efficacy of the current influenza vaccine, improvements are needed in terms of vaccine technology and development, Arnold Monto, MD, FIDSA, said during a presentation here.

Monto, of the University of Michigan, addressed the domestic and international issues of vaccine supply, pipeline and development. He said recognizing the virus earlier, having better communication about the way the virus is growing, and the need for better technologies are key.

“Based on our experience in the US — where most of the vaccine became available just at the peak of the second wave [of the pandemic] — it would have made a lot of difference if we had the vaccine available earlier,” said Monto, who presented the results on behalf of Kathleen Neuzil, MD.

Technology for vaccine production is spreading, with new vaccine development currently under way in Mexico, Brazil, India and Indonesia.

“If the need is demonstrated in terms of burden of disease in the developing world, I don’t think we will have concern about the amount of vaccine; it will much more be a question of which vaccines, and trying to fix the deficiencies that we have in current vaccines,” he said.

For short-term approaches to influenza vaccine development, cell culture-based platforms and oil-in-water adjuvants should be given priority, Monto said. Novel vaccine technologies and cross-protective strategies were regarded as longer-term approaches to vaccine development.

The need for better efficacy in certain populations, broader strain coverage, faster manufacturing of vaccines, and better surge capacity are needed for the future of influenza vaccines, he said.

For more information:

Monto A. Presented at: IDSA’s Seasonal and Pandemic Influenza Meeting; Jan. 27-28, 2011; Arlington, Va.

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