Posted on 01/03/2008 11:24:41 PM PST by Smokin' Joe
A vaccine that could help to control a flu pandemic has shown encouraging results in its first human trials.
The vaccine, made by Acambis, based in Cambridge, should protect against all strains of influenza A, the type responsible for pandemics. Unlike existing vaccines it does not have to be reformulated each year to match the prevalent strains of flu, so it could be stockpiled and used as soon as a pandemic strain emerges. Nor does it need to be grown on fertilised chicken eggs, as the existing vaccines do, but can be produced by cell culture.
The results, announced yesterday by Acambis, show that in human volunteers the Acam-Flu-A vaccine was safe and produced an immune response against its target, a small protein (peptide) called M2e ...
(Excerpt) Read more at timesonline.co.uk ...
Flu ping...
I’d want to see that in use for at least a couple of years by millions of people before I would use it.
Thanks, Happy New Year!
I’m one who has an extreme problem with getting upper respiratory infections. Flu and catching it can lay me up for 3 weeks if it is a mild case and put me in the hospital if it is a severe case.
So I will be one of those millions of people being your personal guinea pig .... your welcome [grin].
PS. if your handle has anything to do with your age ... I’m younger than you.
I have never had a flu shot, and I'm a great-grandpa. Just never had much trouble with the flu, so I am in no rush.
There will be plenty of folks who will rush to get this when it comes out.
You’re welcome! Happy New Year to you and yours, too, neverdem!
Excellent news, if it works...
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