How Does the Hemagglutinin Stalk Influence Vaccine Development?
Researchers are exploring the hemagglutinin stalk as a potential target for a universal influenza vaccine. Such a vaccine would induce an immune response against the stalk, which is less prone to mutation. This would reduce the need for frequent updates and potentially offer protection against pandemic influenza strains. Several experimental vaccines targeting the stalk are currently in various stages of clinical trials.
