What we know as the flu was first identified in 1918, when the Spanish Flu broke out. While it might have been around for much longer, we’ve only known about it for just over a century. Over the years, scientists have come up with ways to prevent it with the use of vaccines, but 2019 showed us how quickly these vaccines could become useful when the COVID-19 pandemic spread chaos around the world. The flu vaccines we had weren’t a fit for this strain. With the recent advancements in AI, researchers are now using this technology to improve flu vaccines and ensure a faster response to any future pandemics. Let’s take a look at what they have achieved so far.
About Influenza Viral Infections
Flu is one of the most common conditions around the world. Annually, about one billion cases of flu are recorded globally. Among these cases, up to five million are severe. The influenza viral infection also contributes to as many as 650,000 deaths due to respiratory complications each year [1].
In the majority of cases, a viral infection caused by the influenza group of viruses is mild [2]. Symptoms generally begin after one to four days following infection. The symptoms generally last about seven days, but they can differ from one person to another.
The most common symptoms that a person experiences when they have the flu include [3]:
- High fever
- Body and muscle aches
- Nasal congestion
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Post-nasal drip
- Watery eyes
- Sore throat
- Sinus pain
The virus targets the upper respiratory tract. In some cases, it can lead to serious complications, such as pneumonia and bacterial respiratory infections. Young children, older individuals, and those with conditions that weaken the immune system are at a higher risk of experiencing more severe symptoms and potential complications associated with the flu.
The Role of Flu Vaccines in Reducing the Rate of Flu Cases
Prevention really is the key to lessening the burden this respiratory infection has on patients and the healthcare system. It starts with vaccinations, a topic that has received mixed opinions in the past. However, through scientific research and clinical trials, flu vaccines have been proven both safe and highly effective.
There are regulatory bodies that also provide guidelines for these vaccines, which help to further ensure their safety and ensure they are able to effectively reduce the risk of influenza infections. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases [4] has reported that universal flu vaccines need to be able to provide protection against both group one and group two influenza viruses. Additionally, they also need to have an effectiveness rating of 75% or higher, and last for a minimum of one year. Additionally, these requirements also demand that the vaccines are suitable for people of all ages.
Studies show that vaccines not only prevent flu, but in cases where infection is present, it can significantly reduce the severity of the condition [5].
There are also more specific vaccines, such as in the case of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused chaos around the world. Specialized vaccines target very specific types of viruses that cause upper respiratory infections.
How Scientists are Using AI to Improve the Efficacy of Flu Vaccines
Interest in artificial intelligence has been growing rapidly over the last couple of years.
AI has become an integrated part of society and even within the healthcare sector, we see new way sin which these technologies are being implemented.
Advancements in the development of flu vaccines are important. They help to ensure new variants of influenza can be effectively addressed and targeted through annual vaccines. While human research has been the priority for decades, scientists are now turning to AI to make the development of these vaccines more efficient.
There are several case studies that already show how AI can be helpful in identifying modifications to flu vaccines that would lead to a further reduction in infection rates and severity.
One great example of this would be scientists from MU. They have developed what they call the MAIVeSS [6]. It is also known as the Machine-learning Assistant Influenza VaccinE Strain Selection framework. This AI tool was trained on data in order to provide a time-saving system that speeds up the vaccine development process.
Prior to the development of this framework, it took several months for scientists to determine which strains of the influenza virus should be included in the next annual vaccine. The MAIVeSS framework, however, sped up the process, and now it only takes a few days to go through this same process.
The trend of implementing AI in the process of developing new vaccines started even before the world was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, researchers from Flinders University, located in South Australia, developed an AI-created flu vaccine, and testing was done in the United States [7].
Scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory have also made waves when they announced their use of artificial intelligence to assist with the development of vaccines. This came after the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to have systems in place that could respond to any future outbreaks of a similar scope. The faster scientists are able to respond with a vaccine and efficient treatment options, the better. This could save countless lives and lessen the impact that such a pandemic can have on the world.
These scientists and researchers are now combining both AI and experimental data in order to speed up the process of developing vaccines. They have already shared their plans and the progress they have made thus far. The combination of these technologies allows the researchers to build predictive systems that can quickly identify the most effective therapeutic antibodies to be used in vaccines [8].
AI Helps Keep Up With Latest Coronavirus Mutations
A great way to learn more about AI in vaccine development is to take a closer look at how scientists are using this technology to keep up with new coronavirus mutations. Since the initial coronavirus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic, several mutations have been discovered. This has made it difficult for researchers to keep up and ensure that annual vaccines can provide adequate protection.
A research paper published in the Journal of Genomics & Informatics provides a good overview of how scientists are turning to artificial intelligence. They explain that subtypes of SARS-CoV-2 have been found even at the early stages of the pandemic that the world faced. Now, with the help of AI technologies and prediction models, it is getting easier and more efficient to predict mutations that may come next.
When researchers have this type of prediction on hand, they can already make the necessary modifications to flu vaccines in order to address the issue beforehand. This could help reduce how much of an impact new mutations and subtypes of the coronavirus.
Future Directions
While artificial intelligence has been around for a very long time, the progress made over the last five years has been incredible. With that said, many of the technologies being used in research projects are still at an early, developmental stage.
The future does look bright when we take a look at what researchers and scientists have already been able to accomplish. In fact, when we consider examples like the MAIVeSS framework that has already been developed, we can already see these systems in action.
Looking at the future, these models and frameworks will only continue to become more advanced. This will give researchers the capability to quickly respond to any widespread pandemics and more accurately predict mutations in the current influenza viruses that exist. AI would also become more integrated in the process of developing vaccines, which will shorten the duration required to provide annual vaccines to the public.
We will also see AI being combined with more technologies. Right now, experimental data and AI are already working together in some situations. This can help to further increase the rate at which predictive AI can select the right antigens to include in vaccines. The process of developing vaccines will not only continue to improve, but we will also see annual shots becoming safer with the help of AI.
Safer and more effective vaccines can help to increase usage among the general population, as they would reduce concerns and make more people willing to get their annual shot. This will contribute to the prevention of influenza, as the vaccines can provide adequate protection against these viruses, leading to less concern regarding contagiousness and spreading.
Conclusion
Scientists have been turning to AI to help improve the way flu vaccines are developed. Current evidence already shows promising results, and there are several studies that are underway to make this a reality. Examples include AI being implemented to monitor and work on vaccines that can effectively address the coronavirus mutations. This could potentially help to reduce cases of the flu, while also improving treatment for recorded cases.
References
[1] Influenza (seasonal). World Health Organization. 28 Feb 2025. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/influenza-(seasonal)
[2] S.W. Boktor, J.W. Hafner. Influenza. StatPearls. 23 Jan 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459363/
[3] R. Eccles. Understanding the symptoms of the common cold and influenza. Elsevier. 25 Oct 2005. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7185637/
[4] C.M. Trombetta, O. Kistner, E. Montomoli, S. Viviani, S. Marchi. Influenza Viruses and Vaccines: The Role of Vaccine Effectiveness Studies for Evaluation of the Benefits of Influenza Vaccines. MDPI Vaccines. 1 May 2022. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9143275/
[5] Benefits of the Flu Vaccine. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/flu-vaccines-work/benefits/index.html
[6] MU scientists use AI to improve flu vaccine development. Show Me Mizzou. 12 Mar 2024. https://showme.missouri.edu/2024/mu-scientists-use-ai-to-improve-flu-vaccine-development/
[7] AI-created Flu Vaccine Starts Testing in US. Respiratory Therapy. 23 Jul 2019. https://respiratory-therapy.com/disorders-diseases/infectious-diseases/influenza/ai-flu-vaccine/
[8] R. McDonald. AI can help create new vaccines and drugs quickly. Los Alamos National Laboratory. 31 Mar 2025. https://www.lanl.gov/media/publications/1663/0125-ai-vaccines-drugs