Can This Man Beat the Flu with a Single Universal Vaccine?

Scientific American by Alexander Hellemans | Jun. 1, 2008 (Special Report)

Walter Fiers found a protein segment on the influenza virus that could lead to a universal flu vaccine, which would end seasonal shots and provide pandemic protection

the 77-year-old Fiers believes that he has found his adversary's Achilles' heel: although the virus is good at disguising its pawns, there is one on its coat that it cannot change. That pawn, the external part of a protein called M2, should be the target for vaccination, he says. Full Story »

Posted by Beth Wellington

See All Reviews »

View

3.8

by Myrna E. Watanabe - Oct. 1, 2008

This is good, standard, scientific journalism, written for a reader with a greater than average education. It states the problem, the solution, and the possible problems with the solution. My only quibble, and that's more style than substance, is the lede is a non sequitur. I want it here and now, without the nonsense of the pseudointellectual lede. But that's the in style now. Sigh! I would have liked more background about influenza A, but it probably would be longer than the word limit. Another loss in these short, targetted articles.