UK scientists hope for bird flu vaccine within months

cctv.com 02-04-2004 09:26

British scientists say they hope to have a vaccine for bird flu ready for production within two months. They've taken samples of the highly dangerous avian influenza virus - and they're genetically changing it so it's safe for vaccine manufacturers to work with. The news was announced by Dr John Wood of the National Institute of Biological Standards and Control in London.

According to bird flu vaccine specialist Dr. John Wood, "There's a series of safety tests that have been agreed internationally that we have to do before we can take the virus out of containment. So it's probably going to be about six to eight weeks before the vaccine is ready to give to vaccine manufacturers."

The vaccine is now being developed jointly by the National Institute of Biological Standards and Control in London with two American research institutions, under the auspices of the World Health Organization.

Editor:Xiao  Source:CCTV.com