Thailand starts testing Influenza A(H1N1) nasal spray vaccines

BANGKOK, Dec 18 (TNA) – Thailand on Friday began conducting its own Influenza A(H1N1) nasal spray vaccine trials on the first group of 24 volunteers, Dr Vichai Chokewiwat, chair of the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) announced.

The Influenza A(H1N1) vaccine human trials kicked off after the problem of vaccine stability was resolved.

The clinical tests involving 24 volunteers is designed to evaluate the safety of the nasal spray vaccines manufactured by the GPO as well as to check the level of immunity against the virus.

All volunteers have stayed at the Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University since Thursday night as well as receiving medical checkups, including a lung checkup, Dr Vichai said.

According to the vaccination programme, the 12 volunteers have been given a low concentration of the vaccine -- 6.5 log (the amount of the virus per cubic centimeter) -- while others have received higher concentration or 7-7.5 log.

After one week, all volunteers will be allowed to return home. Health officials will follow up the volunteers’ health and results of the vaccines for another three weeks before they will be given second doses of vaccines.

Evaluations of the test will be done one month after the volunteers are given second doses it will then be decided whether the next step of the vaccine trial will be conducted using the second batch of 400 volunteers.

Dr Vichai added that if the nasal spray vaccine trial has no obstacle, the vaccines will be ready for use in February at the soonest.

Meanwhile, GPO Director Dr Vithit Atthavejjakul explained that the GPO will be able to manufacture 10-million doses of low concentration vaccines while its production capacity for high-concentrated vaccines will be less at around 500,000 to one million doses.

The Department of Medical Sciences, however, will consider and approve the usage of vaccines in the country. (TNA)