A key human gene modifies the immune response to flu vaccine
Friday, December 12, 2014 - 16:32
in Health & Medicine
How much protection the annual flu shot provides depends on how well the vaccine (which is designed based on a 'best guess' for next season's flu strain) matches the actually circulating virus. However, it also depends on the strength of the immune response elicited by the vaccine. A study reports that genetic variants in a gene called IL-28B influence influenza vaccine responses.