COVID-flu vaccine could provide broad, lasting protection

Cornell researchers have developed a new vaccine platform that could provide more robust, longer-lasting protection from both COVID-19 and influenza, and broader immunity to different flu strains. In a study published Jan. 29 in Science Advances, researchers found no visible signs of illness in mouse models after vaccination with the new platform and no cellular damage to tissues. “One of the big moments was when we started achieving 100% survival and lack of clinical disease in all of the vaccinated mice following challenge with either SARS-CoV-2 or influenza virus,” said Richard Adeleke, first author and doctoral candidate in the field of immunology and infectious diseases. “Then when there was no detectable virus in the tissues – we examined the lung and brain tissue post-infection – that was a moment of very big excitement. We were convinced. We thought, ‘This thing is really working.’” While current vaccines for SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for...