Our data show an immunodominance potential of influenza-specific CD8+ T cells in the context of a risk HLA-A*68:01 molecule in 35% donors and advocates for priming CD8+ T cell compartments in HLA-A*68:01-expressing individuals for establishment of pre-existing protective memory CD8+ T cell pools against future unpredicted influenza strains. The gene discussed is CD8A; the disease is influenza.