Australia begins trials of 1st human A/H1N1 flu vaccine

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Drug officials in Australia say the world's first human trials of a A/H1N1 flu vaccine have begun.

Medical face masks which can prevent from swine flu. Australia on  Wednesday began human trials for a swine flu vaccine as concerns grew over the disease after the global death toll leapt suddenly past 700 (AFP/Miguel Medina)

Two biotechnology companies have started injecting adult volunteers in the southern city of Adelaide with their vaccines. The director of Commonwealth Serum Laboratories, which began trials on Wednesday, says the company is confident the vaccine would protect people from the A/H1N1 flu virus.

The trials are expected to take about seven months to complete. But the company expects enough initial results for the government to plan distribution from October.

The Australian federal government has already ordered 21 million doses of CSL's vaccine for use in Australia, should it be proven to work. Australia has confirmed more than 14,000 cases of the A/H1N1 flu and 41 related deaths.