Developing A Broadly Protective MRNA Influenza Vaccine: A Review

Abstract

Current influenza vaccines are limited in their efficacy due to antigenic drift of the hemagglutinin target; advances in mRNA vaccines in response to the COVID-19 pandemic may provide a new direction for influenza vaccine development. Existing literature shows that mRNA vaccines have higher efficacy in preventing illness, hospitalizations, and death. We evaluated eleven influenza A viral proteins as potential targets for an mRNA vaccine under the following criteria: degree of conservation, ability to elicit a robust immune response, and ability to prevent illness and death. We recommend future researchers direct their efforts towards developing an annually administered tri-sequence mRNA vaccine targeting hemagglutinin head (HA1), the matrix 2 ectodomain (M2e), and nucleoprotein (NP). Development of a highly effective influenza mRNA vaccine would be significant for prevention of disease burden worldwide.