Vical bird flu vaccine stops H5N1, maybe others

By Aussiegirl

Some good news on the avian flu front, especially if it proves effective against other flu strains.

Vical bird flu vaccine stops H5N1, maybe others�|�Reuters.com

By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Correspondent

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A bird flu vaccine being developed by San Diego-based Vical Incorporated protects mice and ferrets against the feared H5N1 avian influenza virus, the company said on Tuesday.

It may also offer potential as a "universal" flu vaccine because it targets parts of the virus that all flu strains have, Vical and researchers testing the shot said.

This so-called cross-protection would mean that new vaccines would not have to be formulated every flu season and could provide a chance to stockpile vaccine ahead of a pandemic. [....]

"Achieving cross-protection is the 'Holy Grail' in flu vaccines, and the current studies provide evidence that such a goal may be feasible using a DNA vaccine targeting conserved influenza virus proteins and formulated with our proprietary Vaxfectin adjuvant," said Vijay Samant, president and chief executive officer of Vical.