A vaccine being tested right now could help save lives in a future bird flu pandemic, UK scientists claim.
A jab against one strain of avian flu, given years earlier, may “prime” the immune system to fight a wide range of bird flu strains.
When a pandemic arises, those who have been pre-vaccinated could be given a booster shot to be protected far more quickly than normal.
Vaccines against new pandemics can only be created once a new strain emerges; by this time, thousands of lives may be claimed and the administration of a ‘pre-vaccination' may help overcome the problem.