k wrote:

A vaccine designed to protect humans against the H5N1 influenza virus, known as bird flu, has been approved for the first time in the United States.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the approval Tuesday. Officials said the vaccine could be used in the event of an influenza pandemic to provide early limited protection in the months before a vaccine tailored to a specific pandemic strain of the virus could be produced.

Jesus, they fast-tracked the fuck out of that one.

I am slightly skeptical. On one hand, it is a great step forward to have something in place in the event of a pandemic. On the other hand, given the rate of mutation of viruses, its unclear to me how effective this tool will actually be. But hey, I guess it is better than nothing. I just wish I had more technical details.

RE: FDA approves first U.S. bird flu vaccine - Nature