Imagine a single vaccine capable of protecting you from all strains of the flu, without the need for annual injections — now, stop imagining: it is a scientific reality recognized by the Nobel Prize.

For decades, influenza has posed a global public health challenge. Its ability to mutate rapidly has necessitated the reformulation of vaccines every year, with varying results and limited effectiveness. However, this year the landscape changed dramatically: the 2025 Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded to an international scientific team that succeeded in developing the first universal influenza vaccine .

This innovative vaccine is not based on the virus's variable proteins—like conventional vaccines—but on internal, highly conserved proteins present in all known strains of the influenza virus. By focusing on these unchanging structures, scientists have created a solution capable of providing long-lasting protection against multiple variants , including those not yet identified.

The breakthrough was made possible by combining two technologies: a messenger RNA platform , similar to that used in COVID-19 vaccines, and lipid nanoparticles designed to optimize antigen delivery to the immune system. In clinical trials, the vaccine demonstrated over 90% efficacy and sustained protection for more than three years, an unprecedented figure in the history of influenza immunization.

In addition to its effectiveness, this vaccine represents a logistical and economic revolution. By eliminating the need for annual vaccination campaigns, it reduces costs, simplifies distribution, and strengthens preparedness for future pandemics.

The World Health Organization has already announced its intention to include this vaccine in its global immunization schedule starting in 2026, prioritizing vulnerable populations and healthcare workers. This marks a turning point in the prevention of respiratory diseases.