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First clinical trial on SARS could begin early next year
New York, Nov 06: A vaccine for the severe acute respiratory syndrome will not be available if an epidemic should recur at the end of the year, but the first clinical trial could begin as early as January next, health experts convened by the World Health Organisation have concluded.
New York, Nov 06: A vaccine for the severe acute respiratory syndrome will not be available if an epidemic should recur at the end of the year, but the first clinical
trial could begin as early as January next, health experts convened by the World Health Organisation have concluded.
After a two-day review of research progress, the WHO
consultation on SARS vaccine research and development said a
resurgence of the illness could speed up research and result
in a vaccine within two years.
Without a new outbreak, the vaccine would follow the classical development path and not be ready for four to five years.
In the meantime, "We must be ready to manage a possible resurgence of SARS through the control measures that work - surveillance, early diagnosis, hospital infection control, contact tracing and international reporting," WHO director general Lee Jong-Wook said.
"Research must continue to determine if, how, and how soon a vaccine will add to these existing control measures," he added.
Without a new outbreak, the vaccine would follow the classical development path and not be ready for four to five years.
In the meantime, "We must be ready to manage a possible resurgence of SARS through the control measures that work - surveillance, early diagnosis, hospital infection control, contact tracing and international reporting," WHO director general Lee Jong-Wook said.
"Research must continue to determine if, how, and how soon a vaccine will add to these existing control measures," he added.
Bureau Report