Sample after sample is sprayed into small glasses. Small blood samples must be tested for viruses. Researcher and research fellow at the University of Bergen, Nina Urke Ertesvåg, can investigate whether the immune system recognizes different influenza viruses. Every year the influenza virus changes so that the annual vaccine must be updated. The conclusion is that those who have many vaccines more often have a body that recognizes viruses from several strains. This also applies to viruses that are not included in the vaccine, and those that have arrived afterwards. – We have proven that the flu vaccine works more broadly than what has been proven previously. The research team has studied influenza viruses, but the principle is probably the same for, among other things, SARS-Co2, the coronavirus. Nina Urke Ertesvåg, doctor and research fellow at UiB, says the advantages of vaccines are far greater than the disadvantages. Photo: Oddgeir Øystese / news Children and adults compared In the study, the researchers took blood samples from children and healthy adults. The test persons have taken different amounts of flu vaccine. Blood samples are collected shortly after the test persons have received a vaccine, and up to four years after. This is how they test the amount of antibodies and how long they last. The samples were then tested against 14 influenza viruses that have circulated over the past 50 years. The results showed that those who had taken more vaccines had antibodies against more viruses than those who had taken few. Even against influenza viruses that were not included in the vaccines. Ertesvåg points out that this does not mean that one is safe from getting sick from new viruses. But the antibodies are often above a level where one is considered to be protected against the most severe flu disease. Find characteristics in virus strains The explanation is that new virus variants and pandemics can be blamed on the further development of existing viruses. – Influenza viruses change all the time. Nevertheless, there are properties in the virus that will be the same, explains Ertesvåg. – We have found that an ordinary flu vaccine not only provides antibodies against the specific virus it is supposed to fight against, but also past and future viruses of the same strain. Ertesvåg is now working on his doctorate at the Influenza Center at UiB. The conclusions of the research have been published in the international Nature journal npj Vaccines. Encourage people to take the vaccines they can At the vaccine clinic in Bergen, Evelyn Bartlett Ellingsen is ready for her fourth dose of covid vaccine. Evelyn Bartlett Ellingsen says she takes all the vaccines she can. Photo: Oddgeir Øystese / news Since she was a child, she has taken the vaccines she has been offered. – Only now this autumn have I taken the flu, pneumonia and corona vaccine. I’ll take what I can get. – Aren’t you worried about side effects? – No. If they come, they will come. But I have noticed little of them so far. Fellow Ertesvåg admits that all vaccines can cause side effects, but says the benefits are far greater than the disadvantages. – I would encourage people to take the vaccines they are offered. The findings of the researchers at UiB have provided knowledge that antibodies are in the body for a long time. The conclusions may be important in order to better decide which virus variants should be part of the flu vaccine in the future. The research team has studied influenza viruses, but the principle is probably the same for the coronavirus. Photo: Oddgeir Øystese / news
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Today’s vaccines can work against future pandemics – news Vestland
