Development of vaccine for a future influenza pandemic

摘要

Vaccination offers the most effective large scale preventative measure against pandemic influenza, but experience gained from development of H5N1 vaccines over the past four years has shown that we are not yet ready to react sufficiently quickly and effectively to obtain the most benefit from pandemic vaccines. Although safe and productive vaccine viruses can be prepared from highly pathogenic H5N1 viruses by the use of reverse genetics technology, vaccine is unlikely to be ready in time for the first pandemic wave. Another issue facing us is the use of hens' eggs for vaccine production. During a pandemic, the supply of eggs may be compromised and it is important to move ahead with vaccine production based on use of mammalian cells. We have found that vaccine strategies designed for seasonal influenza are unlikely to stimulate protective immunity in pandemic situations, so alternative strategies need to be explored. Finally the regulatory authorities face challenges in licensing and testing new pandemic vaccines, and recent progress will be reviewed.