New research shows that flu shot efficiency may vary according to ethnicity
On Feb. 16, 2016, the latest findings of a recent study done on the influenza virus and the vaccinations used to protect against harmful microbes was published in the open-access journal Scientific Reports. The study revealed why the flu shot appears to protect certain individuals more than others as being due to a difference in immune system responses between people of varying ages and genetic disparities amidst ethnic groups.
Researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston cross-examined samples of blood from the 1,000 Genomes Project that were categorized into three broad ethnic groups—African, Asian, and European—of which, individuals of African descent were more likely to possess the right antibodies needed to make influenza immunization shots more effective. They investigated 14 marginally differentiating forms of one gene, in order to better understand where the conventional “universal” flu shot falls short. According to the study published in Scientific Reports, “[scientists] analyzed ethnically diverse individuals […] and discovered marked variations in F- and L- genotypes and CN among the various ethnic groups that may impact [immune system] responses. These results have immediate implications for understanding [immune system] responses at the individual and population level, and for the design and implementation of [a] ‘universal’ influenza vaccine.”
Chief of clinical and metabolic genetics at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children, Dr. Ronald Cohn, made comment on the findings in an article published by CBC News on March 4, 2016.
“I think the fact that you have different ethnic backgrounds based on their genetic variation either responding well or not responding well to the flu virus vaccine is of potential huge significance,” said Cohn.
The findings will be useful in predicting whether or not someone is likely to be properly protected from a variety of influenza strains by current immunization shots. It will also allow for a better understanding of immunology, as well as possibly providing a starting point from which scientists can better “tailor” future vaccinations to individual patients according to their genetic profiles.
Dr. Wayne Marasco, a virologist at the cancer institute, told CBC News in the same March 4 article that he “didn’t expect ethnic background to really play into this.”
“The fact that it’s only one gene is quite promising, because that will potentially make it easier to implement it clinically,” said Cohn. He continued by cautioning that further research would be necessary because the findings need to be tested again, amongst other populations in order to verify whether or not the variation in genetics is truly as strong as the study has shown so far.