EVALUATION OF A BOOSTER DOSE OF A/VIETNAM/1203/04 (H5N1) VACCINE ADMINISTERED

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Influenza (the flu) is a common infection caused by several related viruses. It is responsible for 20,000-40,000 deaths each year in the United States. When a new strain of flu infects people, the infection can spread around the world quickly. Some of the new human flu viruses come from bird flu viruses. Recently, some strains of bird flu viruses have infected people in Asia. One of these flu strains is called A/H5N1. Vaccines can prevent infection and disease. Vaccines work by causing the body to make proteins called antibodies that fight infection. Sometimes more than 1 dose of vaccine is needed so that the body will make enough antibodies to fight infection. Some vaccines have been developed to prevent infection with flu viruses. Flu vaccines protect against flu and the health problems it causes. These vaccines are made from parts of killed flu virus. These vaccines are given as a "shot" in the arm. Your have previously taken part in a research study to test an experimental vaccine against the A/H5N1 bird flu virus. As part of this study, you received two doses of the A/H5N1 bird flu vaccine. The A/H5N1 bird flu vaccine is considered investigational (or experimental) which means that it has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in the general public. The vaccine is made by sanofi pasteur, inc. (previously known as Aventis Pasteur, Inc.). The purpose of this study is to find out if giving a third dose of the A/H5N1 vaccine will boost the body's level of bird flu antibodies (germ fighters). Information from this study will help researchers and public health officials to determine how many doses of A/H5N1 vaccine will be needed to produce the best level of protection against bird flu. About 450 individuals from 3 study sites in the United States (L.A. Biomedical Research Institute, University of Rochester and University of Maryland) took part in a the earlier research study to test the A/H5N1 bird flu vaccine. About 400 individuals who received two doses of the A/H5N1 bird flu vaccine (not the placebo or inactive shot) and are currently healthy will be asked to take part in this study.