A single dose of vaccine against the H1N1 virus could be sufficient

A single dose of vaccine against the H1N1 virus could be sufficient

Novartis has announced that a single dose of the vaccine against influenza A (H1N1) had been successful in clinical trials, which is expected supply better suited than expected start when the needs of mass immunization campaigns.

The pandemic influenza A (H1N1) could affect up to two billion people worldwide, according to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Many experts expected that the injection of two doses of vaccine per patient is needed in anticipation of a second wave of possible contamination at the beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere.



Vaccination campaigns should begin this month in some countries in October and many others.

Novartis said that its vaccine Celtura provoked a strong immune response after administration of a single dose during clinical trials at the University of Leicester UK.

Chinese health authorities have given their green light to Sinovac pharmaceutical group, which also ensures that the vaccine is effective because a single dose.

"This is good news because a single dose of Celtura may be sufficient to protect adults against the flu. This potentially increases the amount of vaccine available for the flu season coming," says Karl-Heinz Koch, analyst Swiss broker Helvea.

According to Novartis clinical trials Celtura achieved in Leicester over 100 volunteers have created a strong immune response in 80% of subjects after injection of a dose, and in more than 90% of them after two doses.

Further clinical studies are ongoing with more than 6,000 adults and children.

Sinovac first company to have completed clinical trials, received approval from Chinese authorities to produce a vaccine against the H1N1 virus.

Other pharmaceutical companies involved in the race for the development of H1N1 vaccines are Sanofi-Aventis, GlaxoSmithKline and AstraZeneca's MedImmune unit.

The Australian CSL is already producing a vaccine against the H1N1 and produces 1 to 1.5 million doses per week until it meets all its orders.

Relenza and Tamiflu Glaxo, antiviral manufactured by Roche the Swiss who treat influenza more than they n'immunisent against it, are also subject to high demand.