AsianScientist (Sep. 8, 2011) – Taiwan’s National Health Research Institutes (NHRI) has completed a Phase I clinical trial for an enterovirus 71 (EV71) children’s vaccine with encouraging results.
The results from the eight-month trial at the Taipei Veterans General Hospital and National Taiwan University Hospital confirmed the safety of the vaccine and showed strong antibody responses after vaccination.
NHRI researchers expect to begin a Phase II trial next year with an estimated enrollment of 50.
On Monday this week, the NHRI Infectious Diseases and Vaccine Research Institute invited 11 domestic and foreign experts, including four influenza and enterovirus vaccine experts from the World Health Organization (WHO), to form a committee to study the disease.
The committee will analyze previous hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) epidemics and suggest strategies for HMFD vaccination in line with international standards.
To accelerate commercialization of the EV71 vaccine, the NHRI is also working with the pharmaceutical industry to discuss technology transfer options.
Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is a common cause of hand, foot, and mouth disease in children. While most patients recover within 4–6 days, others develop severe neurologic complications, such as acute encephalitis and polio-like paralysis, which may be fatal.
In recent years, Asian countries such as Vietnam and China have experienced outbreaks of the disease. In the largest and most severe EV71-associated HFMD outbreak occurring in Taiwan in 1998, 405 children had severe neurologic complications and 78 children died.
Since the beginning of 2011, Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control has confirmed three cases of severe EV71 infection, with one case being fatal.
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Source: National Health Research Institutes.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.
