Abstract: The present invention provides compositions for use as vaccines against the influenza virus, and rapid methods of producing such compositions. The composition include i) at least one peptide derived from an influenza virus, wherein the peptide is fused to a capsid protein derived from a plant virus forming a recombinant capsid fusion peptide and ii) at least one isolated antigenic protein or protein fragment derived from a human or avian influenza virus. The isolated antigenic protein or protein fragment derived from the human or avian influenza virus can be conjugated to the surface of the recombinant capsid fusion peptide.