Research on swine flu vaccine began in Tampere

Research on the “swine flu vaccine” developed by the French Sanofi Pasteur began at the University of Tampere Vaccine Research Center. The vaccine to be studied originates from the H1N1 virus strain A/California/7/2009.

“The swine flu vaccine now being tested will not be in time for the present epidemic, but naturally those participating in the research will derive benefit from it. However, it has been predicted that this virus will continue to be around and there will be a second wave, at which time this vaccine will be in use,” says Professor Timo Vesikari.

Research on the H1N1 vaccine began on 18 August 2009. Those to be included in the research are 150 children aged 3 to 8 and 150 children and 150 young people aged 9 to 17.

Trials on the same vaccine among adults will be conducted concurrently in France, where the vaccine originated. In the second stage, in September 2009, the vaccine will be given to 150 infants aged 6 to 35 months. Permission is being sought for study of another 250 children in this age agoup.

“No vaccines are any longer produced in Finland, but we get a great deal of research to do because of our good organization,” Professor Vesikari points out, adding that the research institutes of all countries would like to become involved in clinical trials.

It can be assumed that the research vaccine will confer immunity to the A/H1N1 virus, but protection cannot be guaranteed as this is a vaccine still in the investigational stage.

Most cases of swine flu have been in children (the average age of those infected in the USA has been 12 years). Thus the need for a vaccine is particularly great among children. Moreover, children serve to spread influenza in the population so vaccinating children can indirectly also serve to protect risk groups.

All those participating in the trials will receive two doses of the research vaccine and all will generally give four blood tests for purposes of identifying antibodies to H1N1. Possible undesirable side effects will also be monitored. The research vaccine is anticipated to cause the same degree of local reactions and general symptoms as a conventional flu vaccine.

The research is being conducted at 15 vaccine research clinics of the University of Tampere, those in Espoo, Helsinki South, Helsinki East, Vantaa East, Vantaa West, Järvenpää, Kokkola, Kotka, Kuopio, Lahti, Oulu, Pori, Seinäjoki, Tampere and Turku.

Vaccine Research Center

The National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL)

Text Taina Repo
Translation Virginia Mattila
Photo Erkki Karén