Avian Flu Vaccine Found Effective

Scientists with the U.S. government have reported that a vaccine against the H5N1 avian influenza, now called the A strain, has been found effective in preliminary testing. The vaccine is not intended to treat A influenza but to prevent infection.

The vaccine was developed by U.S. scientists, including Dr. Robert G. Webster, an internationally known influenza expert at St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital (Memphis, TN, USA). A batch of 8,000 doses was sent for testing to the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID, Bethesda, MD, USA) in the spring of 2005.

Based on an analysis of tests in 113 of the 452 participants, scientists said the vaccine produces a strong immune response in people under 65 years of age. Additional analyses and more testing are to follow this initial round of tests in order to determine the optimum dosage, the number of shots required, and whether or not an adjuvant is needed.

The U.S. government has begun to stockpile the vaccine, but there are worries that the demands of a pandemic could not be met. The vaccine is being produced by Sanofi pasteur (Marcy L'Etoile, France). The company has begun the construction of a new manufacturing facility in Swiftwater (PA, USA) for the manufacture of influenza vaccines under a contract with the U.S. government.

"We don't have all the vaccine we need to meet the possible demand,” commented Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, director of the NIAID. "The critical issue now is, can we make enough vaccine, given the well-known inability of the vaccine industry to make enough vaccine?”




Related Links:
U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases