A vaccine has been created that protects against COVID-19 and flu simultaneously

Scientists from Cornell University have developed a new vaccine capable of providing long-term protection against COVID-19 and influenza.

The research results are published in the journal Science Advances (SciAdv).

The new preparation solves two key problems of existing vaccines: the need for storage at extremely low temperatures and insufficient effectiveness. The innovative vaccine not only provides protection against COVID-19 and influenza but also doesn't require complex storage conditions, which significantly simplifies its transportation and use, especially in countries with limited resources.

The basis of the preparation is the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), which is safe for humans. Scientists modified it by removing key proteins and adding antigens from both viruses. This approach allows the immune system to develop protection against two diseases at once.

Special attention was paid to the duration of immune protection. In experiments on mice, the vaccine showed high effectiveness: eight months after vaccination, the animals maintained stable immunity. Moreover, when infected with COVID-19 and influenza viruses, the vaccinated mice did not show symptoms of the disease, and tests did not detect the presence of viruses in the lungs and brain tissues, indicating a high degree of protection.

Scientists suggest that revaccination may be required once every few years to maintain immune protection, which will significantly reduce the burden on healthcare systems.