THEME 1
Control of Influenza: Individual and Population Immunity
T11-712/19-N
Coordinating Institution
- The University of Hong Kong
Participating Institution(s)
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong
- The University of Melbourne
Abstract
Influenza is a major threat to global public health. Seasonal influenza viruses cause annual epidemics with significant morbidity and mortality but existing vaccines are not optimal. Our own studies have shown that hemagglutination inhibition antibody titers, which are the current correlate of protection against influenza, only explain around 57% of the protective effect of conventional inactivated vaccines. These antibodies are even less correlated with the protection provided by live attenuated influenza vaccines or new vaccines currently in development.
Therefore, key knowledge gaps addressed in this project: (a) what are the immune correlates of protection against influenza infection or severe disease; (b) which of these are induced temporarily or permanently by prior natural infection or different types of vaccination; (c) what are the factors which contribute to increased susceptibility of populations to influenza epidemics; (d) how should we best deploy new and existing influenza vaccines to reduce the impact of influenza epidemics and pandemics; and (e) what are other immunological mechanisms relevant to the development and evaluation of new influenza vaccines. The relevance of these and other previously undefined mechanisms for protection against infection and disease in humans is the major knowledge gap.
Research Impact
Our research program has produced important and high-impact scientific findings on individual and population immunity to influenza, and made essential contributions to evidence-based policy making during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our multidisciplinary influenza research group is recognised as world-leading, and demonstrated our value to Hong Kong SAR, greater China, and the world during the COVID-19 pandemic where we published a large number of top-tier publications, advised local, national and international health agencies, and frequently communicated our knowledge and recommendations to the public via traditional and social media.
The University of Hong Kong
Professor Ben Cowling is currently Chair Professor of Epidemiology, Head of the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Helen and Francis Zimmern Professorship in Population Health in the School of Public Health at the University of Hong Kong, and co-Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control. He conducts research on the epidemiology and control of respiratory infections, particularly respiratory virus infections including COVID-19 and influenza. He’s a Clarivate Web of Science “Highly Cited Researcher” since 2021 and among the “top 1% most cited scientists” since 2014.