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You are here: Home News Spanish News Novartis: single dose of flu vaccine may work

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04/09/2009Novartis: single dose of flu vaccine may work

Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis said Thursday that a clinical trial of its swine flu vaccine showed "encouraging" results.

Basel -- Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis said Thursday that a clinical trial of its swine flu vaccine showed "encouraging" results and suggested that one dose of the vaccine may suffice.

"The pilot trial results are encouraging," said Andrin Oswald, chief executive of Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, referring to a trial of the vaccine conducted on 100 healthy volunteers aged between 18 and 50.

He added that while "two doses seem to provide better protection, one dose of our adjuvanted Celtura vaccine may be sufficient to protect adults against the swine flu."

The trial found that protective antibodies against A(H1N1) infection is produced within two weeks of applying a dose of the vaccine, said Novartis.

The dosage of vaccine protecting against the A(H1N1) virus, from which at least 2,185 people have died around the world, would have an impact on how many people can get vaccinated.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that there would not be enough vaccines for the global population and that people should not rely entirely on the vaccine.

They should take other preventive measures against the A(H1N1) virus, such as avoiding large gatherings, closing schools and improving personal hygiene, said Marie-Paule Kieny, head of vaccine research at the WHO.

More than two dozen pharmaceutical companies around the world are racing to test, produce and ship vaccines before the global pandemic enters an expected second wave.

China on Thursday granted approval to its first swine flu vaccine, which producer Sinovac says is effective after only one dose, as the country prepares for a feared winter outbreak.

AFP / Expatica

 


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