# 1077
A standard formulated H5N1 vaccine, one without an adjuvant, requires a distressingly high amount of antigen to convey a decent level of protection to the recipient.
In some cases, it has required 12 times as much antigen for an H5N1 vaccine as is needed for a seasonal flu shot.
This has been a huge barrier for scientists and doctors working on a vaccine. Our ability to produce vaccine is limited as it is. If the amount of antigen needed is that high, it greatly cuts down the number of injections that can be produced.
Studies are being conducted on adjuvants, basically additives to a flu shot, that increase the body's immune response. Believe it or not, adjuvants can consist of oils, detergents, and even sugars.
While adjuvants apparently greatly increase the immune response and reduce the amount of antigen needed for each shot, their long-term side effects are largely unknown. There are some who fear that their widespread use could result in many cases of autoimmune diseases, like lupus, down the road.
Small scale studies have been done, and no serious side effects have been attributed to these adjuvants, although the incidence of `minor' side effects appears to be higher with the adjuvant.
Adjuvants could end up being our salvation during a pandemic, enabling us to vaccinate far more people than would otherwise be possible. That could potentially save millions of lives.
But an adjuvant may be a double-edged sword. We have no idea what long-term effects might be seen five years, or ten years down the road.
It's a gamble, obviously, and a heck of a field experiment to give an experimental adjuvant enhanced vaccine to tens of millions of people during a pandemic.
Yet, despite the potential risks, given the mortality and morbidity rates of a severe pandemic, it may be our only option.
Researchers start trial of 'world's best' flu jab
By Anna Vlach
RESEARCHERS in Adelaide have developed a vaccine they believe could be the world's best defence against an influenza or bird flu epidemic.
The Flinders Medical Centre's influenza vaccine which is in its early trial stage has been boosted by a natural sugar adjuvant.
Adjuvants amplify the immune system's response to the virus to increase the effectiveness of vaccines.
Leader of the research team Director of Diabetes and Endocrinology Professor Nikolai Petrovsky says the sugar-based adjuvant is safe.
"Our data already shows our adjuvant enhances the immune response against the common flu virus and we expect it to work equally well for an avian (bird) flu vaccine," he said.
Head of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Professor David Gordon said the addition of an adjuvant is critical for providing protection and conserving vaccine supplies in the event of a pandemic.
"Traditional vaccines can cause pain for a few days, but another major advantage of our vaccine is that many people have experienced no pain from the injection," he said.
The team is looking to test the vaccine on healthy people aged between 18-70 years who have not received a flu vaccine this year.
