World first swine flu vaccine trial reveals one dose provides 'strong immune reponse'.
Results from the first swine-fluA viral infection affecting the respiratory system. vaccine trials taking place in Leicester reveal a strong immune response after just one dose. The pilot study, run by the University of Leicester and Leicester Hospitals, was trialled with 100 healthy volunteers, aged between 18 and 50.
Dr Iain Stephenson, who led the trial at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, said: “The clinical trial of Novartis MF59-adjuvanted cellThe basic unit of all living organisms.-based A (H1N1) vaccine indicates that the “swine flu” vaccine elicits a strong immune response and is well-tolerated.
“Results showed that the serumThe clear fluid that separates from blood when it clots. It contains salts, glucose and proteins. antibodyOne of a group of special proteins in the blood that are produced in response to a specific antigen and play a key role in immunity and allergy. responses were highest among subjects who received two doses of vaccine, however a single vaccine dose also induced responses associated with protection against influenzaA viral infection affecting the respiratory system..
“The findings showed that it is possible to induce protective antibody against A(H1N1) infectionInvasion by organisms that may be harmful, for example bacteria or parasites. within two weeks of administration of a single low-dose adjuvanted vaccine.”
Non-adjuvanted formulations were not evaluated in this part of the study and will be evaluated shortly
The trial evaluated the tolerability and immunogenicity of the vaccine, and tested different schedules of vaccinationThe means of producing immunity by stimulating the formation of antibodies., in terms of time between vaccinations. The vaccine schedule was one or two doses of 7.5μg MF-59 adjuvanted surface-antigenA substance that prompts the immune system to fight infection with antibodies. A/California/2009 vaccine derived from cell-cultureThe growth within a laboratory of microbes, organisms too small to be seen with the naked eye..
Dr. Stephenson, of the Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation at the University of Leicester is a clinical senior lecturer at the University, and a consultant in infectious diseases at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. He said: “The aim of the trial was to find out how many doses and what type of vaccine is needed to give protection. These initial results should help to plan vaccination campaigns in the autumn, including doses and timings. We concluded that the MF59-adjuvanted A(H1N1) vaccine of low antigen content was well tolerated and generated antibody responses associated with protection against influenza, even after a single dose.”
“The results suggest that one vaccine dose may be sufficient to protect against the A(H1N1) swine flu, rather than two. Larger trials are already underway around the world. Timings on when the vaccine will be available to governments will depend on the results of these clinical trials, and approvals by regulatory authorities’’
