The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the approval of the first vaccine for H5N1 influenza virus, commonly known as avian or bird flu.

The vaccine was obtained from a human strain and is intended for immunizing people 18 through 64 years of age who could be at increased risk of exposure to the H5N1 influenza virus contained in the vaccine. H5N1 influenza vaccine immunization consists of two intramuscular injections, given approximately one month apart. The manufacturer, sanofi pasteur Inc., will not sell the vaccine commercially. Instead, the vaccine has been purchased by the federal government for inclusion within the National Stockpile for distribution by public health officials if needed. The vaccine will be manufactured at sanofi pasteur’s Swiftwater, Pa., facility.

A clinical study was conducted to collect safety information and information on recipient’s immune responses and to determine the appropriate vaccine dose. A total of 103 healthy adults received a 90 microgram dose of the vaccine by injection followed by another 90 microgram dose 28 days later. In addition, there were approximately 300 healthy adults who received the vaccine at doses lower than 90 micrograms and a total of 48 who received a placebo injection.

The vaccine was generally well tolerated, with the most common side effects reported as pain at the injection site, headache, general ill feeling and muscle pain. The study showed that 45 percent of individuals who received the 90 microgram, two-dose regimen developed antibodies at a level that is expected to reduce the risk of getting influenza. Although the level of antibodies seen in the remaining individuals did not reach that level, current scientific information on other influenza vaccines suggests that less than optimal antibody levels may still have the potential to help reduce disease severity and influenza-related hospitalizations and deaths. Additional information on this H5N1 influenza vaccine is being collected on safety and effectiveness in other age groups and will be available to FDA in the near future.

While it’s good to hear a vaccine has been developed, I feel that the hype surrounding the bird flu is out of proportion to the dangers. Much like SARS and other recent scares that were hyped by the media, the government and NGOs, the deaths were far less wide spread than the common flu during the same periods. The common flu remains a huge killer in-itself but it doesn’t have the new, unfamiliar name that can be scary sounding to some. The media is all to happy to hype the fears for ratings, paper sales, and page views. Government agencies and NGOs are happy to promote the FUD surrounding it to get more funding too.

What do you think? Bird flu is FUD or is it really something to be concerned about?

[FDA Approves First U.S. Vaccine for Humans Against the Avian Influenza Virus H5N1]

The contents of this post are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or substitute for professional health care. I’m not a medical doctor, so I do not give medical advice. For medical emergencies seek immediate medical attention!

Tags: bird flu, avian flu, influenza, influenza virus, h5n1, h5n1 influenza virus, fda, health