Creating a vaccine for the common cold is a complex task due to the vast number of cold-causing viruses and their variants. Scientists have identified about 280 variants, including rhinoviruses, which are the main contributors to colds. Unlike seasonal flu vaccines, which are tailored to circulating strains, a cold vaccine must address a wide array of continuously circulating variants.
Historical attempts to create a cold vaccine found limited success, with only one clinical trial in 1965 recorded. Interest in researching cold vaccines has waned. Many experts contend that the common cold, while disruptive and costly, does not pose the same threat as more serious viruses, leaving cold vaccine development underfunded and overlooked. However, recent progress indicates hope; researchers are exploring methods to bolster immune responses to rhinoviruses, with some promising developments appearing in animal studies. Despite the optimism of some scientists, vaccine availability is likely several years away, as there remains much work to be done.
👉 Pročitaj original: MIT Technology Review – AI
