Feeling Sick? A Flu Vaccine May Be On The Way

There's no cure for the flu, but Oxford University researchers say that there may soon be a universal vaccinefor it. Scientists have successfully tested a vaccine that targets flu proteins inside viruses --rather than those that coat the virus. And the vaccine boosts antibodies to protect against sickness. In a clinical trial, fewer vaccinated patients contracted the flu than those who weren't vaccinated.

If field tests and further studies prove successful, scientists say that it could mean the end of flu pandemics and seasonal shots.

"The problem with flu is that you've got lots of different strains and they keep changing," said one researcher. "Occasionally one comes out of wildfowl or pigs and we're not immune to it. We need new vaccines and we can't make them fast enough."