Human Tests For Bird Flu Vaccine Begin

(WebMD) Government scientists say that an experimental vaccine technology could give them a jump on the constantly mutating bird flu virus.

National Institutes of Health (NIH) researchers are in the opening stages of testing on humans a new vaccine against H5N1, the pathogen behind the bird flu outbreak that has sickened at least 261 people since 2003.

The vaccine will also offer a first pass at using experimental DNA technology to make vaccines against flu. Instead of using weakened or killed viruses to prompt immunity in patients, the new vaccine uses chunks of the genetic material of the flu virus to get the body to react and hopefully form a defense against infection. The vaccine does not contain any infectious material and cannot cause infection.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/04/health/webmd/main2329703.shtml