Adolfo García-Sastre
Director of the Institute for Global Health and Emerging Pathogens at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York
This is a very interesting study. It demonstrates the ability to be able to develop multivalent mRNA vaccines that are able to immunise against 20 or perhaps more different antigens at the same time. In this case, these are influenza virus antigens that encompass all possible influenza virus subtypes and variants, including those with pandemic potential.
Current influenza vaccines do not protect against influenza viruses with pandemic potential. This vaccine, if it works well in people, would achieve this.
The studies are preclinical, in experimental models. They are very promising and, although they suggest a protective capacity against all subtypes of influenza viruses, we cannot be sure until clinical trials in volunteers are done.