Enhanced Vaccines

The reason why a vaccine based upon the innate immune response is effective is because it is elicited immediately following vaccination and will therefore provide immediate protection to those exposed to viral infection. The innate immune response however is short-lived and can only provide protection for 1-2 weeks. It is unable to provide extended protection against an ongoing pandemic or a recurrence of the pandemic. To provide a more potent and durable immune response the company is also developing enhanced versions of the vaccine by adding a viral antigen to the basic vaccine. The enhanced vaccines will elicit an immediate immune response followed by a more extended immune response by stimulating both the innate immune response and the adaptive immune response. The enhanced vaccines can be used to protect against an ongoing pandemic or a recurrence of the pandemic.

There are three stages to a viral pandemic

1. Initial viral outbreak; caused by an unknown virus that is contagious and causes severe illness and death.

2. Ongoing pandemic; where the viral infection has spread worldwide and caused a large number of deaths.

3. Post-pandemic; where the pandemic has run its course but there is a risk of a recurrence of the pandemic.

The following table will summarize which vaccines are appropriate for each stage of the pandemic.