Universal Vaccines

As viruses continue to mutate, traditional vaccines must be frequently updated—sometimes annually. Universal vaccines aim to break that cycle by offering longer-lasting protection against multiple or all strains of a virus, such as influenza or coronaviruses. Though still in development, some universal vaccine candidates have reached early clinical trials, with federal agencies like NIH and the Department of Defense investing in their advancement. If successful, these vaccines could significantly improve public health outcomes and reduce the burden of future outbreaks.