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Biosecurity News in Brief
Novartis H5N1 Vaccine Produces Rapid Immunity When Primed With H5N3 VaccineBy Amesh Adalja, October 27, 2008 A study published in the October 9, 2008, issue of the New England Journal of Medicine evaluates the Novartis H5N1 influenza vaccine, which employs a prime-boost strategy to induce immunity. The vaccine first uses an H5N3 vaccine as a primer and then follows up with an H5N1 booster. In the study, 24 subjects were chosen who had received 2–3 doses of either adjuvanted or non-adjuvanted H5N3 vaccine at least 6 years earlier. These subjects were then administered 2 doses of the Novartis MF59-adjuvanted H5N1 vaccine. Thirty additional subjects received the H5N1 vaccine, but were not primed with H5N3. Results indicated significantly higher titers of antibodies to H5N1 in H5N3 primed subjects than in unprimed subjects. In fact, by day 7, 80% of primed subjects had protective titer levels.1 The authors stress the importance of these findings given the need for rapid vaccine deployment in an influenza pandemic. According to the study, the prime-boost strategy, in combination with the Novartis MF59-adjuvanted H5N1 vaccine, could provide very rapid vaccine protection against an H5N1 pandemic.1 References
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