New-style bird flu vaccine shows promise

WASHINGTON, June 11 (Reuters) - A new-style bird flu vaccine made using monkey cells instead of chicken eggs appears to be safe and effective, corporate researchers reported on Wednesday.

The vaccine against H5N1 avian influenza, made by Baxter International (BAX.N: Quote, Profile, Research), is the first bird flu vaccine to be made using cells in a lab dish instead of chicken eggs. This is important because the right type of chicken eggs are difficult to obtain -- and because H5N1 kills chickens rapidly.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/homepageCrisis/idUKN11302781._CH_.242020080612