A new study published in the journal Science, may help physicians understand how the influenza virus evades the vaccine and spreads easily.
Since immunization of humans is variable, they studied the effects of the vaccination in ponies. Since 1950, horses, especially race horses, have been vaccinated against influenza and by studying them it may help to develop an optimum vaccination for the future.
They analyzed the amino acid sequence of one of the flu virus’s proteins, which allows the virus to evade the immune system.
Researchers found many differences between vaccine strains and viruses which increases the animal’s risk of being infected and contagious. It even influences the length of time that the animal was contagious.
These new results will be further analyzed to try to determine better vaccination strategies to protect the population against the virus.