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influenza vaccine (Ultravac / Ultravak)

✓ Approved

Microgen · Vaccine · Vaccine

What is influenza vaccine?

influenza vaccine is a vaccine developed by Microgen. It is approved for therapeutic indications via inhaled.

Drug Profile

Brand NamesUltravac, Ultravak
CompanyMicrogen
Drug ClassVaccine, Large Molecules
RouteInhaled
StatusApproved
Sources: ClinicalTrials.gov, Microgen

Related Research Articles

PubMedTropical diseases, travel medicine and vaccines2026-09-16

Travel vaccination in senior travelers: current evidence, challenges, and prevention.

Rossanese Andrea A, Tomasi Alberto A

The substantial number of older adults undertaking international travel has increased the relevance of pre-travel prevention in this population. However, vaccination strategies in this group require consideration of immune aging, baseline status, medication use, and travel-related exposure. This narrative review summarizes the current evidence on vaccination in senior travelers, with particular attention to the vaccines most relevant to this population, the differences in the strength of evidence across vaccines, and the clinical factors that should guide pre-travel decision-making. Routine vaccines, including influenza, COVID-19, pneumococcal, respiratory syncytial virus, herpes zoster, and tetanus-diphtheria vaccines, constitute an essential part of pre-travel assessment, whereas travel-specific vaccines, such as hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies, Japanese encephalitis, tick-borne encephalitis, and cholera, should be considered according to the destination, itinerary, expected exposure, and time before departure. Yellow fever vaccination represents a particular clinical challenge because advancing age is associated with a greater risk of serious vaccine-associated adverse events, making individualized risk‒benefit assessment essential. Recently introduced dengue and chikungunya vaccines should also be considered on an individualized basis, taking into account exposure risk, potential benefits, comorbidities, and the current limitations of the available evidence. The review also highlights the importance of integrating vaccination with non-vaccine preventive strategies, including food and water precautions, vector avoidance, and hygiene measures. Although the evidence base has expanded, important uncertainties remain, particularly because age-specific data are limited and frail older adults remain underrepresented in clinical studies. Overall, pre-travel care for senior travelers should be comprehensive, exposure-based, and individualized according to the clinical profile and travel characteristics of each traveler.

PMID 42745337
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PubMedBiology methods & protocols2026-09-16

Reverse vaccinology and immunoinformatics identify multi-epitope vaccine candidates against molluscum contagiosum virus.

Khalaf Shahrazad A SA, Jasim Musaab M MM, Jasim Younus Y, Naser Murtada M

Molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) is a human-specific poxvirus responsible for a common contagious skin infection, yet no licensed prophylactic vaccine is available. Therefore, this study aimed to identify potential vaccine candidates against MCV using integrated reverse vaccinology and immunoinformatics approach. Candidate proteins involved in immune evasion, viral entry, and virion assembly were assessed for physicochemical properties, transmembrane topology, antigenicity, allergenicity, and toxicity. Linear B-cell, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL), and helper T-lymphocyte (HTL) epitopes were predicted and prioritized based on antigenicity, safety, HLA-binding affinity, and worldwide population coverage. The selected epitopes were assembled into a multi-epitope vaccine construct, followed by physicochemical characterization, secondary and tertiary structure prediction, and molecular docking analysis with Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Eight candidate proteins were selected for immunoinformatics analysis, of which six were predicted to be antigenic. Five HTL epitopes, five CTL epitopes, and three non-toxic antigenic B-cell epitopes were selected, providing an estimated worldwide population coverage of 80.69%. The final 351-amino acid construct had a predicted molecular weight of 37.48 kDa, an instability index of 33.29, and a hydrophilic GRAVY value of -0.201. AlphaFold 3 produced a structurally organized model, while docking predicted a favorable interaction with TLR4 (score, -190.46) supported by hydrogen bonds, salt bridges, and electrostatic interactions. The vaccine construct exhibited favorable physicochemical properties, broad population coverage, structural stability, and strong interaction with TLR4, suggesting its potential as a prophylactic vaccine candidate. Nevertheless, further in vitro and in vivo experimental validation is required to confirm its safety and protective efficacy.

PMID 42746578
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PubMedParasite immunology2026-09-16

Impact of Prior Exposure to Anisakis simplex Antigens on Immune Response During SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination.

Cuéllar Carmen C, Rodero Marta M, González-Fernández Juan J, Galindo-Regal Lorena L et al.

Parasitic infections can induce immunomodulatory effects that may influence host responses to vaccination. Chronic exposure to Anisakis antigens could modify T-cell and antibody profiles, potentially affecting SARS-CoV-2 vaccine effectiveness in endemic populations. We aimed to determine whether prior exposure to Anisakis alters SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-induced immunity. Forty healthy volunteers were evaluated at five time points before and after receiving either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines. Serum levels of anti-Anisakis and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were quantified by ELISA, whereas T- and B-cell subsets and apoptosis rates were analysed by flow cytometry. SARS-CoV-2 vaccination induced significant changes in anti-Anisakis antibody levels, particularly IgG and IgA, which increased after the second dose and persisted throughout follow-up. Individuals seropositive for anti-Anisakis antibodies exhibited higher post-vaccination anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels, and anti-Anisakis IgA positivity correlated with stronger anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA responses at specific time points. Positive associations were also observed between anti-Anisakis antibody levels and circulating T- and B-cell subsets. Prior sensitization to Anisakis antigens appears to influence both the magnitude and quality of the adaptive immune response elicited by SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, affecting antibody profiles and lymphocyte subset dynamics. Conversely, COVID-19 vaccination can alter humoral reactivity to Anisakis antigens, indicating bidirectional immunomodulation between parasite exposure and vaccine-induced immunity.

PMID 42745230
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PubMedMicrobiology and immunology2026-09-16

Synergistic Effect of Ambient Ozone, Relative Humidity, and Temperature on Epidemic Patterns of Influenza: A Hypothesis and Its Verification.

Nishimura Hidekazu H, Sakata Soichiro S, Tang Julian W JW, Ohmiya Suguru S et al.

The mechanisms underlying seasonal patterns in influenza epidemics have long been an enigma. Our laboratory study revealed that ambient ozone significantly inactivates airborne influenza viruses synergistically with higher relative humidity and temperature. This led us to hypothesize that natural seasonal fluctuations in these ambient factors enhance or mitigate the influenza-transmission risk by altering the efficiency of airborne virus inactivation, thereby contributing to the continuation or subsiding of influenza epidemics. To test the hypothesis, we examined datasets covering 5 years of annual environmental ozone concentrations, relative humidity, and temperature, and reported influenza case numbers in two cities in Japan, Sendai and Naha, which exhibit typical temperate and subtropical climate patterns, respectively; based on the findings of our previous study and actual ambient environmental data, we estimated the influenza airborne-transmission risk in these cities and compared it with observed epidemics. In both cities, the persistence of winter epidemics was strongly associated with low ozone concentration (< 35 ppb), and their subsiding in spring was associated with increases in ozone (≧ 35 ppb) and relative humidity (≧ 50%), even at lower temperature (< 20°C). The summer outbreak in Naha was not suppressed solely under high temperatures (25°C-30°C) and relative humidity (≧ 70%), but was associated with a subsequent increase in ozone (≧ 35 ppb). A similar phenomenon was recognized during the 2009 influenza pandemic. These results were consistent with our hypothesis: influenza epidemic patterns corresponded with the influenza transmission risk estimated from the synergistic inactivation patterns of airborne viruses by ambient ozone, relative humidity, and temperature.

PMID 42746828
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PubMedBritish poultry science2026-09-16

In silico evaluation of selected plant-based compounds as potent dual target inhibitors against highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus.

Ari S S, Das M M, Krishna S V SV, Bandyopadhyay P P et al.

1. Influenza viruses remain a serious global health issue due to their high morbidity and mortality rates. Among them, avian influenza H5N1 virus is highly pathogenic, causing up to 100% mortality in poultry. As the avian influenza H5N1 virus continues to mutate across different regions, understanding multiple viral proteins, particularly the mutated haemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA), is crucial for effective control.2. In this study, dual-target inhibitors capable of neutralising both HA and NA were developed, and a comprehensive in silico analysis was performed on different variants collected over the past decade. Structural modelling revealed conserved domains in NA (A0A1I9QM14, China) and HA (A0A0A0V4U2, Bali), which were selected for ligand docking.3. Twenty active compounds, traditionally used as natural feed additives in broiler chicken diets, were screened using protein-ligand docking, ADME profiling, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Quercetin and luteolin emerged as promising dual-target inhibitors, showing high binding affinity, drug-likeness, and favourable toxicity profiles. The binding free energy (ΔG = -8 ± 0.2 kcal/mol) from docking studies confirmed their inhibitory potential against avian influenza H5N1 virus HA and NA.4. The results demonstrated that virtual screening of natural compounds can effectively identify those effective against influenza virus surface proteins. This integrative computational-experimental strategy supported the development of novel plant-derived antiviral agents with potential applications for disease control.

PMID 42746885
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PubMedEuropean journal of pediatrics2026-09-16

Influenza-associated neurological complications in pediatric patients: clinical characteristics, outcomes, and the neuroinfluenza severity score in the multicenter TURK-INF study.

Kuş Sevgi S, Alataş Şilem Özdem ŞÖ, Akkoç Gülşen G, Demir Sevliya Öcal SÖ et al.

Influenza-associated neurological complications (IANC) encompass a broad clinical spectrum, ranging from febrile seizures to severe encephalopathy associated with neurological morbidity and mortality. We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of pediatric IANC and to explore the Neuroinfluenza Severity Score (NISS) as a retrospective measure of disease severity. This retrospective multicenter study included children aged 1 month to 18 years hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza and neurological manifestations at 21 tertiary centers in Türkiye during the 2023-2025 influenza seasons. Clinical, laboratory, neuroimaging, treatment, and available 6-month follow-up data were analyzed. NISS was constructed post hoc as an exploratory retrospective severity index incorporating clinical course, management, and neuroimaging variables. Neurological outcomes were assessed using available 6-month follow-up data. Among 5093 hospitalized children with laboratory-confirmed influenza, 397 (7.8%) had neurological complications. The mean age was 45.6 months, and 70.8% were younger than 5 years. Only 5 children (1.3%) had received seasonal influenza vaccination, and respiratory symptoms were absent in approximately one-quarter of patients. Seizures were the most frequent neurological manifestation, occurring in 306 patients (77.1%), while acute encephalopathy occurred in 72 (18.1%). Most patients achieved complete neurological recovery; however, persistent neurological sequelae occurred in 5.0% and mortality was 1.3%. In exploratory ROC analysis, higher NISS values were associated with poor neurological outcomes (AUC 0.890, 95% CI 0.819-0.960; p < 0.001). A NISS threshold of ≥ 2 yielded a sensitivity of 79.5% and specificity of 90.8% within this retrospective cohort. Patients with NISS ≥ 2 had longer hospitalization and higher rates of persistent neurological sequelae and mortality. IANC should be considered in children presenting with acute neurological manifestations, including those without prominent respiratory symptoms. Although most affected children recover completely, a subset experience persistent neurological morbidity or death. NISS may provide a standardized retrospective summary of neurological disease severity; however, its post hoc construction and inclusion of variables arising during the clinical course preclude its use as an early prediction or risk-stratification tool. Prospective validation using baseline variables is required before clinical application. • Influenza is a common cause of hospitalization in children and may be associated with neurological complications ranging from febrile seizures to acute necrotizing encephalopathy. • Despite increasing recognition of influenza-associated neurological complications, important uncertainties remain regarding their underlying pathophysiology, determinants of disease severity, optimal management, and long-term neurological outcomes. • Children aged ≥5 years were more likely to present with acute encephalopathy compared with seizures after simple febrile seizures were excluded. • The NeuroInfluenza Severity Score (NISS) was evaluated as an exploratory post hoc severity index for classifying neurological disease severity during hospitalization.

PMID 42745076
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