Research Findings
Novel Avian Influenza Vaccine
Among Many in Human Clinical
Trials
U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, National Institutes of Health,
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious
Diseases (NIAID), January 2007
The first U.S. human trial of a DNA vaccine
for the H5N1 avian fl u began in late 2006.
Scientists from the Vaccine Research Center
at NIAID have developed a synthetic DNA
vaccine based on a specific gene from the
H5N1 influenza virus. The vaccine includes
a copy of an important viral protein that is
made in human cells. The vaccine prepares
the immune system to respond more rapidly
if ever exposed to the real H5N1 virus
in the future. The virus itself is not involved
in vaccine manufacturing, and the vaccine
cannot cause infection, unlike some other
viral vaccines that use weakened forms of
naturally occurring viruses. Researchers are
monitoring subjects to measure the safety
of and immune responses to the vaccine.
NIAID conducts and supports multiple research
projects on human vaccines against
the H5N1 virus. According to WHO, more
than 40 clinical trials are ongoing or have
been completed in 10 different countries.
http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/jan2007/niaid-02.htm
Computer Modeling Seeks to Limit
Pandemic’s Reach
U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, National Institutes of Health,
National Institute of General Medical
Sciences, April 2006
Using computer models, researchers from
the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
in Seattle and the Los Alamos National
Laboratory found that a highly contagious
pandemic flu could infect half of the U.S.
population if no intervention measures
are used. Testing different interventions,
they found that a combination of at least
three different interventions, including 182
million rounds of antiviral treatment, will
provide the best chance to keep cases at or
below the number in a typical flu season.
The model shows that vaccinating school
children first is more effective than random
vaccination when supplies are low.
This work is part of an ongoing research
program, Models of Infectious Disease Agent
Study (MIDAS), supported by the National
Institute of General Medical Sciences.
http://www.nigms.nih.gov/news/results/flumodel040306.htm
CDC Reconstructs 1918 Influenza
Pandemic Virus
U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, October 2005
Researchers reconstructed the influenza
virus that caused the 1918 pandemic, which
killed between 20 and 50 million people
worldwide. Studying the biological properties
of the virus helps researchers to better
understand virulence and the disease
process. This research aids CDC and other
scientists in devising appropriate means for
early diagnosis, treatment, and prevention
should a similar pandemic virus emerge.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa
/1918flupandemic.htm
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