Influenza virus causes significant morbidity and mortality resulting in about 500,000 deaths worldwide annually. Influenza viruses also pose a serious pandemic threat due to their extensive zoonotic reservoir, ability to reassort and accumulate adaptive mutations. In the past, influenza has caused several pandemics, most notably the 1918 pandemic by influenza A H1N1 virus. Since then, there have been additional pandemics recorded in 1957, 1968, and 2009 by a multitude of influenza A viruses, H2N2, H3N2, and H1N1 respectively. There have also been sporadic outbreaks of H5N1 and H7N9 and these viruses represent one of the greatest pandemic threats from non-seasonal strains. The currently licensed influenza vaccine technology is dated, requires annual updates of virus strains and its efficacy ranges between 10%-60%. These vaccines are not expected to provide any protection against future pandemic strains. The emergence of SARS CoV-2 and the ensuing COVID-19 pandemic has signified the urgency for preparedness against emerging virus threats well ahead of time; developing vaccines that can elicit broad cross-reactive responses can be the most effective intervention towards that direction.
In this special issue, we propose to highlight recent advances in influenza vaccine technologies, novel approaches including nanoparticle platforms, mRNA delivery, and refocusing of immune responses towards the virus’ conserved site of vulnerability. Adjuvants play important role in boosting the immune responses but they have been understudied in influenza vaccine research and much of the research remains focused on immunogen design. We propose to cover the development of adjuvants in the context of influenza vaccine design and delivery. We also would highlight the challenges in developing universal influenza vaccines including immunodominance, preexisting immunity, availability of reagents and assays, surveillance, prompt response to future influenza pandemics, and clinical trials. In this special issue, we welcome original research articles, reports, reviews and mini-reviews, and clinical reports. Submissions are encouraged that will encompass but are not limited to the following sub-topics:
1. Immunogen design
2. Novel nanoparticle platforms
3. mRNA delivery of vaccine
4. Novel adjuvants
5. Assay and reagent development
6. Evolution, phylogenetics and bioinformatics
7. Innate and adaptive immunity
8. Mechanisms of protection
9. Therapeutic interventions
10. Epidemiological studies
11. Seasonal and pandemic response strategies
12. Clinical trials
Influenza virus causes significant morbidity and mortality resulting in about 500,000 deaths worldwide annually. Influenza viruses also pose a serious pandemic threat due to their extensive zoonotic reservoir, ability to reassort and accumulate adaptive mutations. In the past, influenza has caused several pandemics, most notably the 1918 pandemic by influenza A H1N1 virus. Since then, there have been additional pandemics recorded in 1957, 1968, and 2009 by a multitude of influenza A viruses, H2N2, H3N2, and H1N1 respectively. There have also been sporadic outbreaks of H5N1 and H7N9 and these viruses represent one of the greatest pandemic threats from non-seasonal strains. The currently licensed influenza vaccine technology is dated, requires annual updates of virus strains and its efficacy ranges between 10%-60%. These vaccines are not expected to provide any protection against future pandemic strains. The emergence of SARS CoV-2 and the ensuing COVID-19 pandemic has signified the urgency for preparedness against emerging virus threats well ahead of time; developing vaccines that can elicit broad cross-reactive responses can be the most effective intervention towards that direction.
In this special issue, we propose to highlight recent advances in influenza vaccine technologies, novel approaches including nanoparticle platforms, mRNA delivery, and refocusing of immune responses towards the virus’ conserved site of vulnerability. Adjuvants play important role in boosting the immune responses but they have been understudied in influenza vaccine research and much of the research remains focused on immunogen design. We propose to cover the development of adjuvants in the context of influenza vaccine design and delivery. We also would highlight the challenges in developing universal influenza vaccines including immunodominance, preexisting immunity, availability of reagents and assays, surveillance, prompt response to future influenza pandemics, and clinical trials. In this special issue, we welcome original research articles, reports, reviews and mini-reviews, and clinical reports. Submissions are encouraged that will encompass but are not limited to the following sub-topics:
1. Immunogen design
2. Novel nanoparticle platforms
3. mRNA delivery of vaccine
4. Novel adjuvants
5. Assay and reagent development
6. Evolution, phylogenetics and bioinformatics
7. Innate and adaptive immunity
8. Mechanisms of protection
9. Therapeutic interventions
10. Epidemiological studies
11. Seasonal and pandemic response strategies
12. Clinical trials
