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H5N1 Possible Vaccine Shows Promise In Phase I and II Trials

New York City-The first trials of a new possible bird flu vaccine have gone well. The H5N1 bird flu virus Vaccine has undergone Phase I and Phase II testing, and so far it is proving effective against a number of different influenza strains.

The new vaccine is an experimental product of Baxter International, and the results of its testing is being reported in the New England Journal of Medicine in the June 12th edition online.

The Baxter H5N1 Pandemic Influenza Vaccine Clinical Study team have been examining the vaccine and running through a number of tests to see if it is effective against the bird flu.

The new vaccine is a little different in that it has been created using cell culture instead of embryonic eggs, this allows it to be made more swiftly and cheaper than other vaccines have been produced in the past.

Many experts in the field of medicine fear that it is only a matter of time before the bird flu, also known as the H5N1 variation of influenza mutates into a form that is easily passed from person to person.

There would potentially be a worldwide epidemic that potentially could cost thousands of people their lives. It is for this reason that researchers in groups around the world are working hard to try and find an answer and come up with an effective vaccine.