Influenza

• Results from the poster show that LHNVD-110 generated broadly reactive antibodies to human and highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses while neutralizing seasonal and pandemic influenza strains.
• This data mirrors previous studies with LHNVD-105, a dual peptide vaccines containing the same epitopes.
• Using a single peptide provides a more cost-effective and easily scalable approach to such a universal influenza vaccine.
• That is why using peptide-based vaccines with broad strain coverage may offer useful strategies towards preventing influenza, no matter the strain.

• Although most cases are relatively mild, flu can cause more severe illness in young children and older people.
• Influenza virtually disappeared from Australia during the first years of the COVID-19 pandemic when public health restrictions reduced contact between people.
• Since 2022, it has returned to a seasonal pattern, although the flu season has started and peaked a few months earlier than before 2020.

What goes into a flu vaccine?

• Influenza strains are constantly changing due to genetic mutation, with the pace of genetic change much higher than for SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID).
• Read more:
  Flu vaccine won't definitely stop you from getting the flu, but it's more important than you think

  All current influenza vaccines in Australia contain four different strains (known as quadrivalent vaccines).

What’s different about new flu vaccines?

• These include egg-based vaccines (Vaxigrip Tetra, Fluarix Tetra, Afluria Quad, FluQuadri and Influvac Tetra), cell-based vaccines (Flucelvax Quad), adjuvanted vaccines (Fluad Quad) and high-dose vaccines (Fluzone High-Dose Quad).
• Until recently, the process of manufacturing flu vaccines has remained similar.

• In some flu vaccines, adjuvants (components that stimulate the immune system) are included with the influenza antigens.
• For example, an adjuvant is used in the Fluad Quad vaccine, recommended for over 65s.
• Studies suggest adjuvanted influenza vaccines are slightly better than standard egg-based vaccines without adjuvant in older people.
• Read more:
  Should I get the flu shot if I'm pregnant?

What should I do this year?

• Influenza vaccines are also recommended in pregnancy to protect both the mother and the baby for the first months of life.
• Influenza vaccines are widely available, including at GP clinics and pharmacies, while many workplaces have occupational programs.

In older people, a number of vaccines are now recommended: COVID and influenza, as well as one-off courses of pneumococcal and shingles vaccines. In general, most vaccines can be given in the same visit, but talk to your doctor about which ones you need.

Are there side effects?

• These are expected and reflect the immune system reacting appropriately to the vaccine, and are mostly mild and short-term.
• People with egg allergies should discuss this with their doctor, but in general, studies suggest they can safely receive any (including egg-based) influenza vaccines.
• Serious side effects from the influenza vaccine, such as Guillain-Barré syndrome, a neurological complication, are very rare (one case per million people vaccinated).

Allen Cheng receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care. He is a member of the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation.

• Co-Primers utilize a unique design architecture to combat common issues with real-time PCR that can lead to inaccurate results, specifically primer dimer propagation, and which are magnified in multiplex reactions.
• "The importance of accurate, reliable PCR testing at the high-throughput clinical laboratory level remains critical," remarked Dwight Egan, CEO of Co-Diagnostics.
• *The Co-Dx PCR platform (including the PCR Home™, PCR Pro™, mobile app, and all associated tests) is subject to review by the FDA and/or other regulatory bodies and is not yet available for sale.
• The Co-Dx PCR Pro instrument and Co-Dx COVID-19 Test are currently under review by the FDA.

• Launched in November 2023, the study delved into pharmacy expansion, garnering key insights from more than 500 respondents representing a wide array of pharmacy professionals and organizations.
• (Graphic: Business Wire)
  Nearly 75% of respondents tagged an expanded role for pharmacists to fill the primary care gaps as a top growth opportunity.
• However, over 70% of these respondents reported that reimbursement was a barrier to expansion, while 61% said medical billing capabilities were.
• Barriers to Expansion: Reimbursement challenges, staff shortages, and regulatory limitations were identified as significant barriers to clinical service expansion.