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Archived Comments for: Proinflammatory cytokine responses induced by influenza A (H5N1) viruses in primary human alveolar and bronchial epithelial cells

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  1. adjuvanted vaccines for bird flu counterindicated?

    Mary Quijano, VSAS

    26 November 2005

    Recent research data suggests that the lethality of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza among young healthy adults may be due to its stimulation of an excessive immune response in the epithelial cells of the respiratory system. If this proves to be true, then might it not be counterindicated to provide a lower dose of flu vaccine with adjuvants to stimulate the immune system, as WHO has been proposing to the laboratories producing the vaccines as a solution to inadeqate supplies? The research paper suggests immune suppressors as a possible life saving treatment to those infected with the virus, therefore it would seem stimulating a stronger immune response with adjuvants might be a wrong approach.

    Competing interests

    None declared

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