Don’t forget the vaccine/allergy connection……. – SM

 

Immunization Newsbriefs © Copyright Information Inc., Bethesda, MD. Brought to you by the National Network for Immunization Information (NNii). Visit NNii’s new website at http://www.immunizationinfo.org.

 

February 8, 2002

 

“Vaccine Promises Yearly Hay Fever Jab”

Australian (www.theaustralian.news.com.au) (02/07/02) P. 3;

Stock, Sarah

Researchers Prem Bhalla and Mohan Singh of Melbourne University are working to develop a vaccine to treat hay fever and other grass pollen-related allergies, which affect about 25 percent of the world’s population.  The patent for the potential vaccine, which would consist of an annual shot before hay fever season, is owned by the researchers and the university, but Heska Corp. has been licensed to sell the product.  The vaccine includes genetically modified rye grass protein, which reduces allergic responses in highly allergic people while boosting the immune system.  Forty people participated in a test of the vaccine, and a larger test on a few hundred Australians is in the works at St.  Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne.  The vaccine could reach the market in three years to five years.

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