Perth children and seniors needed for bird flu vaccine study
Perth researchers have begun a trial to test the effectiveness in children and seniors of a new vaccine to protect against the potentially deadly bird flu.
The Vaccine Trials Group at the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research and Princess Margaret Hospital for Children requires volunteers aged between 6 months and 8 years of age (inclusive) and those aged 65 years and over.
Study leader, Dr Peter Richmond, said the Australian-developed vaccine has already shown encouraging results in adults.
"In any flu pandemic, young children and the elderly are particularly at risk," Dr Richmond said.
"The best preparation is to have a vaccine available that is proven to be safe and effective - and that's our aim."
Dr Richmond said there was no live virus in the vaccine which meant there was no chance of catching the infection from the vaccination. He said the vaccine had already been shown to be safe in initial trials.
Study volunteers will receive two doses of the vaccine, three weeks apart. They will then have blood tests over the following 7 months to check their immunity.
The Commonwealth Government has contributed to the funding of the research and the development of the vaccine by the Australian pharmaceutical company CSL.