Flu vaccine test not to be sneezed at (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Flu vaccine test not to be sneezed at

8:27am Thursday 22nd March 2007 in Swindon By Gazette Reporter

Every year thousands of people up and down the country get struck down by the flu.

But sufferers in Swindon could be part of a trial for a vaccine that kills the virus off.

The Swindon Medical Research Centre, in Abbey Meads, is currently taking part in a worldwide study for a new flu medication.

The vaccine comes from America and doctors over there have already seen positive results.

Vicky King, senior research nurse, said they were looking for willing volunteers. "We are trying to catch people who have flu symptoms as early as possible," she said.

"We are looking for anyone who has a headache, fever, cough, sore throat or anything else that is related to flu. "When they come into the surgery we can do a special swab test that will determine whether or not they have flu."

Nurse King said they had tested a couple of people so far, but none of them had tested positive for the virus.

"We're very good at offering the flu jab to vulnerable people in this country and the flu season isn't as advanced as we thought."

The study is being led by Dr Juan Ochoa, principal investigator at the centre. To be eligible, patients must be over 18 and the flu symptoms must have appeared less than 48 hours before attending the surgery.

Participants in the trial have a 50 per cent chance of being given the drug, which kills the flu virus, and 50 per cent chance of being given a placebo.

They will then be under the care of the centre for a fortnight, seeing a member of staff every day for the first three days, and then every other day.

People who take part do so on an entirely voluntary basis and without payment for their treatment.

"We will also be asking people to keep a diary and record their symptoms," said Vicky.

The centre is also running a number of other trials for conditions including diabetes, chronic pain, asthma, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

For more information on the flu trial or any others that the centre is currently running call 01793 726748 or log on to www.swindonmedicalresearch.co.uk