Abstract: A vaccine for immunization against Type A influenza virus is provided having an immunologically effective amount of peptide constructs obtained by linking together two or more peptides based on or derived from different molecules, and methods for producing the same. The peptide constructs have the formula P1-x-P2 or P2-x-P1 where P1 is associated with Type A influenza highly conserved protein such as but not limited to M2e matrix protein, NP1 nucleoprotein, HA2 core 1, and HA2 core 2, where P2 is a peptide construct causing a Th1 directed immune response by a set or subset of T cells to which the peptide P1 is attached or that binds to a dendritic cell or T cell receptor causing said set or subset of dendritic cell or T cells to which the peptide P1 is attached to initiate and complete, an immune response, and x is a direct bond or divalent linker for covalently bonding P1 and P2.

Abstract: The invention is related to peptide constructs, i.e., polypeptides obtained by linking together two or more peptides based on or derived from different molecules, which are useful in the treatment or prevention of influenza virus and other infectious diseases. Compositions containing the same, methods for producing the same, and methods for using the same are also disclosed, wherein the peptide constructs have the formula P1-x-P2, where P2 is a peptide associated with an infectious agent and P1 is a peptide that will bind to a class of immune cells, such as dendritic cells. The peptide construct can cause the maturation of immature dendritic cells to a more mature state. The peptide construct or the more mature dendritic cell can be administered to a subject to modulate or initiate an immune response against an infectious agent.