Pune, New York: Across the world, there's a rush to come up with a vaccine against swine flu. On Monday, in a big step, 40 human volunteers in the US have begun clinical trials.
"I just think that it's very valuable, and if we do have a problem with the flu in the future, this is going to save a lot of lives," said Kathryn Maxwell, a trial participant.
It's all part of a study to determine how strong, and in what dosage, the vaccine should be released or whether the vaccine is effective at all. Some expect a vaccine by the end of September.
"This is important because if we can get a good response with the low dose of the vaccine, then the supplies that will be available this fall will enable them to vaccinate a larger number of people than if we have to use a high dose with multiple injections," said Dr William Smith, Volunteer Research Group.
India has also made progress in having its very own vaccine that might be ready by the end of the year.
Three Indian companies are working on it, and animal trials have already begun in Pune. Once ready and after animal trials, it will first be tested on human volunteers. After it is found to be safe, it can be given to the population.
Even as the world rushes to make vaccine, the bigger worry is whether by the time the vaccine is ready, would the H1N1 have mutated as flu viruses are notorious for changing their structure rapidly?
The world is racing to make a vaccine and India is also working towards that, animal trials have already begun at the Serum Institute of India in Pune.