title: History and evolution of influenza control through vaccination: from the first monovalent vaccine to universal vaccines.
abstract: Influenza is a highly infectious airborne disease with an important epidemiological and societal burden; annual epidemics and pandemics have occurred since ancient times, causing tens of millions of deaths. A hundred years after this virus was first isolated, influenza vaccines are an important influenza prevention strategy and the preparations used display good safety and tolerability profiles. Innovative tools, such as recombinant technologies and intra-dermal devices, are currently being investigated in order to improve the immunological response. The recurring mutations of influenza strains has prompted the recent introduction of a quadrivalent inactivated vaccine. In the near future, scientific research will strive to produce a long-lasting universal vaccine containing an antigen that will offer protection against all influenza virus strains.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Barberis
authors.affiliation: Division of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Myles
authors.affiliation: Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (retired), Washington, D.C., United States of America; currently Office of the Dean, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, United States of America.
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Ault
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: N L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Bragazzi
authors.affiliation: Section of History of Medicine and Ethics, Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martini
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009975:Orthomyxoviridae; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines
keywords: History of medicine; Influenza; Vaccination