Bird Flu Vaccine Shows Promise In Early Trial

The first results from early trials of a vaccine for bird flu are promising, according to the vaccine's maker, Baxter International.

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Early data suggests that the Baxter H5N1 vaccine induces antibodies that neutralize "widely divergent strains" of the virus, says Noel Barrett, vice president of Baxter's vaccine division.

During the clinical trial of the Baxter vaccine, 270 healthy adults received inoculations. Some of these had similar side effects as those receiving a regular seasonal influenza vaccination.

The preliminary study, which will now be confirmed by a larger sample of test participants, also seemed to indicate that the avian flu vaccine was also capable of neutralizing not only the "pandemic" virus in the vaccine but also many other strains of the H5N1 virus.

The next phase of clinical trials will begin early in 2007, with final results due at the end of next year.