Wednesday, March 29, 2006

First Vaccine attempt not too promising

The first real attempt at creating and stockpiling a bird flu vaccine had some difficulties. It produced an immune response in only about half of those who received it. So more of the vaccine would be needed. That reduces the number of people who could be served in a pandemic. The current version is already outdated as the main virus has changed. Scientists are working on the newer virus. And of course, no one knows if it would be of much use against the virus that would be the mutated form which would spread from person to person.
The good news is that it seemed very safe even in very high doses.

"These findings mean there is only enough H5N1 vaccine now in the U.S. stockpile to protect about 4 million Americans in a pandemic, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci said. These would likely be key health-care workers and people working to make the vaccine.

Everyone else would have to wait while a pandemic spreads, relying on public-health measures such as social distancing -- meaning closing businesses, schools and using masks, gloves and other protective equipment -- in the meantime."


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060330/ap_on_he_me/bird_flu_vaccine

http://bird-flu-symptom.info/news/article/can-we-fend-off-bird-flu/


http://birdflurss.com/index.php?id=357&PHPSESSID=ae74fe0bb8eebc389f9782c038d6f086

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