SLU will lead vaccine research

05/01/2007

Researchers at St. Louis University will lead six other centers in a
national trial to see if a new vaccine against smallpox reacts as quickly
and strongly as the approved vaccine.

The experimental vaccine was used in Germany in the smallpox eradication
effort and seems to be safe for use in young children and people with
eczema or weakened immune systems. Those people cannot get the traditional
smallpox vaccine because of side effects.

Scientists say that inoculating a person with the old vaccine within three
to four days after exposure to smallpox can head off the disease or lessen
its severity. No one knows how fast and well the experimental vaccine works.

Healthy adults, at least 18 and born after 1971, may be eligible to
participate. For more information on the trial, call the Center for Vaccine
Development at 314-977-6333 or visit vaccine.slu.edu online.