Posted by
Team uncovers cellular responses to bird flu vaccine

Team uncovers cellular responses to bird flu vaccine

New research from Vanderbilt eavesdrops on gene expression in human immune system cells before and after vaccination against bird flu. Reported in the journal PLOS One, the study exposes cellular responses associated with a vaccine constituent called AS03, short for adjuvant system 03. Using massive computation, the investigators pursue a systems biology approach, providing a […]

Posted by
Migration routes hold key to bird flu spread, global study finds

Migration routes hold key to bird flu spread, global study finds

Monitoring the migration routes of wild birds could help to provide early warning of potential bird flu outbreaks, experts say. The recommendation follows new research that shows migrating birds can help to spread deadly strains of avian flu around the world. Some strains of bird flu viruses are highly lethal in birds they infect and […]

Posted by
Prime-boost H7N9 influenza vaccine concept promising in clinical trial

Prime-boost H7N9 influenza vaccine concept promising in clinical trial

In clinical trials, several candidate H7N9 pandemic influenza vaccines made from inactivated viruses have been shown to be safe and to generate an immune response. However, scientists believe for practical use, these potential vaccines would require multiple doses or the addition of adjuvants, which enhance the immune response. With hopes of making one dose of […]

Posted by
Avian influenza expert raises concerns as USDA stockpiles vaccines

Avian influenza expert raises concerns as USDA stockpiles vaccines

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is creating a stockpile of avian influenza vaccines, but an expert suggests careful consideration of the strategy and cautions that the strain of the next outbreak is unknown. Wild birds are typically the source of the introduction of the virus to backyard and commercial poultry flocks, which makes it very […]

Posted by
Adjuvants improve immune response to H7N9 flu vaccine

Adjuvants improve immune response to H7N9 flu vaccine

In a phase 2 trial that included nearly 1,000 adults, the AS03 and MF59 adjuvants (a component that improves immune response of inactivated influenza vaccines) increased the immune responses to two doses of an inactivated H7N9 influenza vaccine, with AS03-adjuvanted formulations inducing the highest amount of antibody response, according to a study in JAMA. In […]

Posted by
Avian flu confirmed in UK

Avian flu confirmed in UK

A case of H7N7 avian flu has now been confirmed in Lancashire. A temporary control zone imposed on Friday at the affected farm has now been replaced by a 10 kilometre surveillance zone and an inner 3 kilometre protection zone. Restrictions remain in place and the humane culling of all birds at the farm is […]

Posted by
Vaccines developed for H5N1, H7N9 avian influenza strains

Vaccines developed for H5N1, H7N9 avian influenza strains

A recent study with Kansas State University researchers details vaccine development for two new strains of avian influenza that can be transmitted from poultry to humans. The strains have led to the culling of millions of commercial chickens and turkeys as well as the death of hundreds of people. The new vaccine development method is […]