Although some vaccines have successfully helped eradicate diseases such as smallpox, other vaccines are continually being improved to increase their efficacy.  One such vaccine is the influenza vaccine.

Since 2007, the US federal government and the private sector have contributed immensely to creating enhanced influenza vaccine technology that would either expand the vaccine supply or its effectiveness with the hopes of achieving both.  During this time, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided recommendations for the best public use of existing influenza vaccines.  The CDC’s influenza division is also contributing to finding better vaccines.  The long term goal for flu vaccines is to design a universal flu vaccine.  This would be a single vaccine that would provide long-lasting immunity against a wide range of influenza viruses.

In recent years, there have been several advances with flu vaccines.  For example, a high dose vaccine has been designed for people who are 65 and older so that they would have stronger antibody response while an interdermal vaccine has been created that requires less antigen for an equivalent immune response.  Moreover, the first U.S. approved cell-based flu vaccine has been made.  This version of the vaccine can be made more quickly than the older model, which was egg-based.  Quadrivalent vaccines have also been designed that protect against both types of influenza B viruses to provide greater protection against the flu. 

The CDC is currently working with other agencies to continue developing a better vaccine with the hope of a universal vaccine.  Their effort has already led to important successes.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/advances.htm