Could this be the end of yearly flu shots? early trial tests universal vaccine

NCT ID NCT03816878

Completed ⭐️ VACCINE ⭐️ Sponsor: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This early-stage study tested a 'prime-boost' approach for a universal flu vaccine. Researchers gave an inactivated H5N1 flu shot to 32 healthy adults, some of whom had previously received other experimental flu vaccines. The goal was to see if this method could trigger broad immunity against multiple flu strains. The study focused on safety and immune response, not on preventing flu itself.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: inactivated subunit H5N1 influenza vaccine
What this could lead to: If successful, this approach could help develop a universal flu vaccine that protects against many flu strains, reducing the need for annual shots.
What could go wrong: This is a very early Phase 1 trial with only 32 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The vaccine may not produce strong enough immunity or could cause side effects.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

influenza prevention target

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

INFLUENZA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Center for Immunization Research, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, United States

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.