Guided design for the development of an evolution-proof influenza vaccine

Abstract

Influenza remains a significant public health concern, particularly among high-risk populations, due to its capacity to cause annual epidemics and potentially trigger global pandemics. Despite the availability of countermeasures such as vaccines and antiviral treatments, their effectiveness is hindered by factors such as resistance development with manufacturing of the influenza vaccine still heavily relying on decades-old technologies. This review therefore examines the mechanisms by which influenza viruses evade host immunity and evaluates current and emerging approaches to enhance vaccine-mediated protection. Advances targeting the conserved hemagglutinin (HA) stem, incorporating multiple HA subtypes, and the use of adjuvants are discussed, alongside increased attention to neuraminidase (NA) and other viral components as immunogenic targets. Strategic epitope prediction, through glycan masking, evolutionary forecasting, and consensus sequence design, offer promising frameworks for rational vaccine design. Furthermore, delivery platforms, including recombinant protein, mRNA, and conjugate vaccines are explored for their potential to elicit broad and durable immunity. Collectively, these developments highlight a multifaceted approach towards the design of effective interventions against this persistent healthcare challenge.

Keywords: Conjugate vaccine; Consensus HA vaccine; Hemagglutinin stem; Influenza virus; Multi-epitope vaccine; Universal influenza vaccine; mRNA vaccine.