Bird Flu Vaccine is Close to Production

A vaccine may soon be available against the deadly bird flu that experts fear could one day kill millions across the world.

The British-made DNA-based vaccine is in the final stages of pre- clinical development and may be tested on patients by the middle of next year.

A 1.2 kilogramme supply of the vaccine would be enough to treat the entire population of the United States twice with an initial dose and a booster, say the manufacturers.

The H5N1 bird flu strain is highly virulent but so far has only infected humans from poultry. Scientists fear it could mutate into a form that transmits between people. In that case a worldwide pandemic, possibly claiming millions of lives, would be a real possibility.

There have been 108 cases of H5N1 bird flu and 54 deaths recorded so far among people exposed to poultry in Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia.

The vaccine consists of a DNA ‘backbone’ into which an active gene specific to the viral strain is inserted.

The vaccine is coated on to gold particles which are injected into the skin using high pressure helium.

Dr Clive Dix, CEO of PowderMed, said: ‘We are very excited by the potential of our ‘flu vaccine technology to address the major healthcare challenge that influenza presents, in particular in the event of an avian ‘flu or other pandemic outbreak.’

‘No other vaccine technology offers this speed of response,’ he added.