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Source: http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.u...entPK=21412673
?1M FLU-VIRUS RESEARCH FOR CITY
BY CATHY BUSS
HEALTH CORRESPONDENT
10:30 - 09 September 2008
People in Leicestershire could be among the first in the world to receive a jab to guard against bird flu.
Hundreds of people are to be asked to take part in a clinical trial so doctors can test a newly-developed "super" vaccine.
The Medical Research Council is funding a ?1 million programme over three years to see if experts can find an effective protection against one of the most deadly viruses.
Scientists predict there will be a flu pandemic - and millions of people could be affected.
Professor Karl Nicholson, one of the world's leading experts into pandemic flu planning, is heading a study at Leicester Royal Infirmary to try to prevent the illness taking lives.
He and his team believe that if patients can be given just the right dose of the vaccine, it may protect them from the virulent bug which has already killed about 180 people worldwide.
If the trial is successful, those taking part will be among the first in the world to be immunised against the H5 virus - also know as avian or bird flu.
The vaccine has been developed to protect against the H5 flu virus.
Experts hope the trials will enable them to test whether the immune system of patients who have the vaccination is boosted enough to fight off the infection.
They can find out if the vaccine has been successful by testing the number of antibodies produced in testers' bodies.
Prof Nicholson, a consultant physician at Leicester's hospitals and professor of infectious diseases at the University of Leicester, is looking for 500 people to take part in the trial due to get under way later this year.
He said: "There is some evidence to suggest that if you give the vaccine - which is very similar to the annual flu vaccine already available - ahead of a pandemic, people develop high levels of antibodies.
"This one is slightly different and has been developed to boost the immune system."
Prof Nicholson, who also sits on a national working group which advises the Government on pandemic flu planning, said: "We are very optimistic that if someone has one or two doses their body will retain a memory of the virus and react a bit like an engine - starting up to fight the infection. Some pilot work suggests this vaccination could be given up to eight years ahead of a pandemic outbreak.
"At the moment, it will take about four to six months to develop a vaccine when a pandemic emerges and another three to four weeks to get it out to people.
"If we can protect people in advance, it will be a major breakthrough and will save thousands of lives in Britain."
History shows a flu pandemic happens two or three times a century.
The last one - known as Hong Kong flu - was in 1968 and killed an estimated one million people worldwide.
Prof Nicholson said: "We must be prepared. We don't know when or what sort of virus will cause it but H5 is the most likely candidate."
To take part in the trial, call 0116 258 5973 or 0116 258 5393.
?1M FLU-VIRUS RESEARCH FOR CITY
BY CATHY BUSS
HEALTH CORRESPONDENT
10:30 - 09 September 2008
People in Leicestershire could be among the first in the world to receive a jab to guard against bird flu.
Hundreds of people are to be asked to take part in a clinical trial so doctors can test a newly-developed "super" vaccine.
The Medical Research Council is funding a ?1 million programme over three years to see if experts can find an effective protection against one of the most deadly viruses.
Scientists predict there will be a flu pandemic - and millions of people could be affected.
Professor Karl Nicholson, one of the world's leading experts into pandemic flu planning, is heading a study at Leicester Royal Infirmary to try to prevent the illness taking lives.
He and his team believe that if patients can be given just the right dose of the vaccine, it may protect them from the virulent bug which has already killed about 180 people worldwide.
If the trial is successful, those taking part will be among the first in the world to be immunised against the H5 virus - also know as avian or bird flu.
The vaccine has been developed to protect against the H5 flu virus.
Experts hope the trials will enable them to test whether the immune system of patients who have the vaccination is boosted enough to fight off the infection.
They can find out if the vaccine has been successful by testing the number of antibodies produced in testers' bodies.
Prof Nicholson, a consultant physician at Leicester's hospitals and professor of infectious diseases at the University of Leicester, is looking for 500 people to take part in the trial due to get under way later this year.
He said: "There is some evidence to suggest that if you give the vaccine - which is very similar to the annual flu vaccine already available - ahead of a pandemic, people develop high levels of antibodies.
"This one is slightly different and has been developed to boost the immune system."
Prof Nicholson, who also sits on a national working group which advises the Government on pandemic flu planning, said: "We are very optimistic that if someone has one or two doses their body will retain a memory of the virus and react a bit like an engine - starting up to fight the infection. Some pilot work suggests this vaccination could be given up to eight years ahead of a pandemic outbreak.
"At the moment, it will take about four to six months to develop a vaccine when a pandemic emerges and another three to four weeks to get it out to people.
"If we can protect people in advance, it will be a major breakthrough and will save thousands of lives in Britain."
History shows a flu pandemic happens two or three times a century.
The last one - known as Hong Kong flu - was in 1968 and killed an estimated one million people worldwide.
Prof Nicholson said: "We must be prepared. We don't know when or what sort of virus will cause it but H5 is the most likely candidate."
To take part in the trial, call 0116 258 5973 or 0116 258 5393.
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