It’s estimated the flu contributes to more than 3,000 deaths in Australia each year.

Flu season is traditionally between May and October but already this year more than 6,600 Queenslanders have contracted either the Influenza-A or Influenza-B virus.

The state government is now distributing vaccines to GPs and pharmacists but the perennial problem is the flu virus can change from season to season and no single shot protects against all strains.

Researchers at the University of the Sunshine Coast though are about to trial a “universal” influenza vaccine which would require just one injection for life.

USC Clinical Trials Director Lucas Litewka tells Mark he needs a thousand volunteers for the trial.

Anyone interested in taking part can go to www.usc.edu.au/trials

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