First Bird Flu Vaccine

FDA will OK first bird flu vaccine for use in humans this year. So far the H5N1 Avian Influenza has infected over 300 people killing over 50% of those affected with this deadly contagion.

Although the bird flu vaccine is not perfect it is our first line defense against a disease that if it mutates into super virulent form could kill billions. The news of a vaccine is very welcome.

The government plans to stockpile enough vaccine for twenty million people. We should ask for a more robust response. This disease is spread by infected birds, they are the carriers. An effective strategy would be to destroy infected birds to stop the spread of the deadly H5N1 avian influenza.