First U.S. Bird Flu Vaccine for Humans Approved
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced the first approval in the U.S. of a vaccine for humans against the H5N1 influenza virus, commonly known as avian or bird flu.
By CleanLink Editorial Staff
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced the first approval in the U.S. of a vaccine for humans against the H5N1 influenza virus, commonly known as avian or bird flu.
The vaccine could be used in the event the current H5N1 avian virus were to develop the capability to efficiently spread from human to human, resulting in the rapid spread of the disease across the globe. Should such an influenza pandemic emerge, the vaccine may provide early limited protection in the months before a vaccine tailored to the pandemic strain of the virus could be developed and produced.
The vaccine was obtained from a human strain and is intended for immunizing people 18 through 64 years of age who could be at increased risk of exposure to the H5N1 influenza virus contained in the vaccine. H5N1 influenza vaccine immunization consists of two intramuscular injections, given approximately one month apart.
In clinical studies, the vaccine was generally well tolerated, with the most common side effects reported as pain at the injection site, headache, general ill feeling and muscle pain. The study shows that 45 percent of individuals who received the 90 microgram, two-dose regimen developed antibodies at a level that is expected to reduce the risk of getting influenza.
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