Trials for Novel Influenza Vaccine Likely by Spring

[tetano]

January 5, 2012 — A precautionary vaccine against the novel swine influenza virus, which has sickened 12 people in 5 states since July, is in development and will likely be ready for clinical trials this spring, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) told Medscape Medical News.

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http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/756438

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: Trials for Novel Influenza Vaccine Likely by Spring

I have sent an email asking Gretchen Michaels to confirm her comments. The full article is here:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/756438

"HHS routinely develops vaccines to test against novel influenza viruses "with potential pandemic potential," said Gretchen Michael, director of communications for the department's Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response. Examples of other novel viruses that have triggered precautionary vaccine development, said Ms. Michael, include avian influenza viruses such as A(H9N2) and A(H7N5).

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: Trials for Novel Influenza Vaccine Likely by Spring

She indicated to me that the bits in quotes on that article are not entirely accurate.

To clarify she said that the HHS routinely has clinical investigational lots of vaccine prepared by manufacturers for clinical testing against novel influenza viruses with possible pandemic potential (e.g., H5N1, H9N2, H7N5, etc.).

So as part of this process they asked manufacturers to also prepare clinical investigational lots of swine origin H3N2 vaccine for clinical testing by the NIH and the manufacturers.