Three hospitals in Spain's capital Madrid and two in the northeastern city
of Barcelona have started to test a vaccine to fight the deadly H5N1 strain of
bird flu on volunteers, as part of an international clinical study, local media
said on Wednesday.
The study is seeking a vaccine that can, at least, reduce the death toll in
case of a world-wide bird pandemic.
These hospitals will test the vaccine, which is being developed in the
laboratories of Glaxo Smith Kline, on healthy people who are at least 18 years
old for both side effects and immune boosting effects.
Once the volunteers have received injections, doctors will give them two
check-ups and interview them by phone. Doctors will take blood from 10 percent
of the volunteers to measure their immune response.
The vaccine, which is being made in line with World Health Organization
recommendations, will be injected in small enough doses so that it will not
cause flu. Participants will receive only expenses for their help.
