Developing a Flu Vaccine for Dogs and Cats

Recent outbreaks of canine flu, such as the Chicago outbreak of 2015, have shown that influenza viruses are an emerging pathogen for companion animals in the United States. Dogs and cats are at-risk species for a flu epidemic as they lack background immunity to influenza viruses. A cost-effective, efficient and broadly protective vaccine would be of tremendous benefit to this susceptible population. Although a vaccine for canine flu exists, it is expensive, laborious to produce and only provides immunity to a few viral strains. Researchers recently developed a novel vaccine strategy they hope will form the basis for a more cost-effective, efficient and broadly protective vaccine for both dogs and cats. In this study, the team will evaluate the efficacy of their vaccine strategy to determine its potential for inducing a robust and durable immune response against several influenza viruses that pose a threat to pets. This is a critical step toward developing a more effective flu vaccine for reducing disease spread in dogs and cats not only in the United States, but worldwide.