A better, more effective flu vaccine is a matter of when — not if — says Dr. Gregory Poland, director of Mayo Clinic’s Vaccine Research Group. The National Institutes of Health is testing an experimental universal flu vaccine with the goal of providing high-efficacy, long-lasting protection against influenza viruses.

“The idea behind a universal flu vaccine is to say we have to get out of the way we’re currently doing it,” says Dr. Poland. “Every year, different viruses circulate. Every year, we make new vaccines. And even while we’re giving those vaccines, the flu virus is mutating. In the beginning of the flu season, the vaccine may work very well. By the end of the flu season, it may not work very well, and that’s because the viruses are mutating.”

A goal of the universal flu vaccine is provide protection against multiple influenza strains. Dr. Poland says the hope will be to give the vaccine once for long-lasting protection.

“The first step is to say we want 75% efficacy for at least 12 months, and then we will work our way to saying we will give a dose of that flu vaccine and you’ll be protected for five to 10 years. Then we may have to give a different dose 10 years later, and in that interim time period you have protected against the flu viruses that are likely to circulate and make you sick, with one exception.”