Does a 250-pound male linebacker need the same flu vaccine as a 120-pound female dancer? Probably not.

Biomedical research has established that factors such as gender, age and body composition can affect the body’s immune responses prompted by vaccination. Pregnancy, a weakened immune system, and allergies to substances like egg or yeast proteins in vaccines can also affect how the body reacts.

“Personalized” vaccines — shots tweaked to trigger the most effective immune response for specific populations — are a strategy that could have tremendous implications for curbing influenza and other disease outbreaks.

Justin Ortiz, MD, an associate professor at University of Maryland’s Center for Vaccine Development, notes that understanding why vaccines like those for influenza seem to work better for some groups than others is key to developing the next generation of vaccines.

“Personalized” vaccines — shots tweaked to trigger the most effective immune response for specific populations — are a strategy that could have tremendous implications for curbing influenza and other disease outbreaks.

Justin Ortiz, MD, an associate professor at University of Maryland’s Center for Vaccine Development, notes that understanding why vaccines like those for influenza seem to work better for some groups than others is key to developing the next generation of vaccines.

Read the full article about personalizing vaccines for the flu at Global Health NOW.