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Influenza remains a major problem causing significant morbidity and mortality annually and periodic pandemics with the potential for 10-100 fold increased mortality. Conventional vaccines can be highly effective if generated each year to match currently circulating viruses. Ongoing research focuses on producing cross-protective vaccines that induce T cell and/ or antibody responses specific for highly conserved viral epitopes. The Saint Louis University Center for Vaccine Development (SLUCVD) is highly engaged in multiple efforts to generate universally relevant influenza vaccines.

The 1918 pandemic of influenza in St. Louis was ameliorated by the public health efforts of the City Health Department. At the time, St. Louis was the sixth largest city in the US; among the ten largest cities, St. Louis had the fewest influenza cases and deaths. Closing schools, churches, theaters, and other public meeting places reduced the severity of the pandemic in St. Louis. The benefits of contemporary influenza vaccines to prevent influenza and economic disruption are summarized.