Gallina Posted May 15, 2006 Share Posted May 15, 2006 I wasn't sure whether to put this with Bird Flu or here, but decided not to raise the spectre of the dreaded flu in the chicken clinic again. An invitation has come through the door today to take part in the Oxford Vaccine Group's "Bird Flu vaccine study". I am tempted to give it a go. Should I? Would you? It involves three injections, but they don't worry me: the side effects do.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted May 15, 2006 Share Posted May 15, 2006 Stupid question - is it for you or the chickens? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted May 15, 2006 Author Share Posted May 15, 2006 Oh, only me. They would inject me with two brand new vaccines actually made from the latest bird flu strain A/H5N1. But they cannot guarantee it will work if there is a pandemic here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted May 15, 2006 Share Posted May 15, 2006 It's not very good if they can't guarantee it will work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 15, 2006 Share Posted May 15, 2006 So, what are the side-effects then? They could be the deciding factor! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted May 15, 2006 Share Posted May 15, 2006 Stupid question - is it for you or the chickens? Not a stupid question, that was my first thought on reading the thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted May 15, 2006 Author Share Posted May 15, 2006 The side effects are exactly the same as for the standard flu vaccine (which I have never received): muscle and joint pain, high temperature, or malaise, or (very, very rarely) a rash, nerve pain, convulsions, or allergic reaction. I feel it would be interesting and worthwhile to take part in these trials, but I might be too much of a coward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted May 16, 2006 Share Posted May 16, 2006 You're very brave Gallina. (or maybe I'm just a coward!) There's no amount of money that can compensate for long term poor health. If they can guarantee a TOTAL recovery with no permanent side effects, then go for it, but do you remember those poor guys in the news recently that have lost any sort of 'normal' life forever from taking part in drug trials. Read up on it thoroughly. The large print giveth. The small print taketh away! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 16, 2006 Share Posted May 16, 2006 *cross voice* Gina Another night without sleep That means you'll have to have another day lying down resting! Look after yourself and don't do anything! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted May 16, 2006 Share Posted May 16, 2006 You're very brave Gallina. (or maybe I'm just a coward!) There's no amount of money that can compensate for long term poor health. If they can guarantee a TOTAL recovery with no permanent side effects, then go for it, but do you remember those poor guys in the news recently that have lost any sort of 'normal' life forever from taking part in drug trials. Read up on it thoroughly. The large print giveth. The small print taketh away! I must say that I thought that also. Put your feet up while you can Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted May 16, 2006 Share Posted May 16, 2006 It shouldn't do you any harm Gallina I would do it if asked All vaccines(every batch too) like other medicines have to be tried on humans before general release so long as you aren't allergic to eggs you should be fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 16, 2006 Share Posted May 16, 2006 I'm sure there was something on the news over the weekend, saying that the vaccines had gone through initial human tests,and were waiting to go through the second round - I would be happy to test soemthing that had already been tested on humans. Are they offering cash? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted May 16, 2006 Share Posted May 16, 2006 I doubt it if it is an NHS study Usually only the development company offers cash incentives for clinical trials once it gets to the NHS level there is no money to give I did a blood pressure survey for them once and all I got was a hideous rash for my trouble (allergic to the metal in the cuff) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted May 16, 2006 Share Posted May 16, 2006 Ooooh, Shona, when did David Seaman arrive? Your signature's getting more interesting daily Sorry, off topic Bird flu vaccine, umm, I'm not sure what to advise about the trials. Gina has an excellent point, but that said thousands of drug trials happen annually, and dramatic side effects such as the recent volunteers experienced are incredibly rare, however that event really does bring the fact that there are risks associated with drug trials to the forefront of everyone's mind. If it's already gone through one round of human testing the risks are much lower. And, importantly if individuals didn't volunteer themselves as guinea pigs in this way it would be impossible to adequately test new drugs before introducing them to the market, and that would severely restrict developments in drug technology. But, they can test that bird flu vaccine is safe by human trials, but until we actually have bird flu how can they tell whether or not it's going to be effective? I suppose because of the huge time committment involved in research and development they have to go with the most likely disease presentation and hope I'm sitting on the fence on this one Gallina, I can see pro's & con's and don't know which way I'd go, never mind trying to advise you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 16, 2006 Share Posted May 16, 2006 Ooooh, Shona, when did David Seaman arrive? Your signature's getting more interesting daily Sorry, off topic grd did it last night...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted May 16, 2006 Share Posted May 16, 2006 Ooooh, Shona, when did David Seaman arrive? Your signature's getting more interesting daily Sorry, off topic grd did it last night...... With or without your knowledge and consent Shona Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 16, 2006 Share Posted May 16, 2006 I think he was expectng me to be horrified and delete it straight away, but I quite like it..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted May 19, 2006 Author Share Posted May 19, 2006 (edited) I have applied to take part in the Bird Flu vaccine study. They only want 150 people from Oxford, however, and so I may not be selected after all this. You don't get paid for it: but somebody has to test these vaccines. I put my son in for the MMR tests in 1986 when he was only one, so I have to be brave now. Anyway, I am hoping that people will stop telling me to get rid of my chickens if I can tell them that the immunization has worked! Edited May 19, 2006 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted May 19, 2006 Share Posted May 19, 2006 Cool. Let us know how it goes I would certainly have been interested if it had been in my area too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted May 24, 2006 Author Share Posted May 24, 2006 I decided to go ahead with the bird flu vaccine trial, and had my first injection at 8am this morning at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford. If you are interested, you can read about the trial here. (Why does everyone show a chicken as the symbol of bird flu? It's not fair!) Apparently the study was filmed by the BBC on Monday and there should be a full feature on their news tonight (or later in the week if they don't have room for it). I have to go back for five more visits, so it is quite a commitment (but at least the hospital is very near my house). I have been given a thermometer to take my temperature every day for a week, and have to fill in a chart of all my symptoms. The study is funded by a drugs company, not the NHS, and it was wonderful being seen on time and pampered with tea and biscuits. I was chosen to have the vaccine without the adjuvant, and you won't believe how they decide: a scratch card, rubbed out with a 2p piece. Having never won anything on a scratch card in my life, I knew I would get the weaker dose even though the odds were better than usual (50/50). But at least the symptoms won't be so bad: none so far, but it will take 12 hours if they are going to materialize (60% chance that some symptoms will). One interesting fact that has emerged so far in the trial is that a sample of blood taken from one person before the vaccination already had antibodies against the A/H5N1 virus, which means this person had already been in contact with it from feeding wild birds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted May 24, 2006 Share Posted May 24, 2006 I hope it wasn't too painful Gallina Well done for doing this - I think its a great idea & please keep us updated with any symptoms (feathers???) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted May 24, 2006 Share Posted May 24, 2006 Well done Gallina good luck with the symptoms but I would imagine a slight temperature and a headache would be the worst you would get No adjuvant also means you are less likely to get a site reaction to the jab as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted May 24, 2006 Share Posted May 24, 2006 Well done Gallina................Very interesting like you say that one person had already been in contact with the virus but I presume not developed any symptoms, keep us updated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 Respect, Gallina! Hoping all goes well. Oh and .... ... THANK YOU!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted May 25, 2006 Author Share Posted May 25, 2006 It was all very easy and I enjoyed it. And I am feeling so well! I think people were put off by the fact that 60% of people in the French study reported feeling ill. I was No. 00009, and it was the third day of the trial, which suggests to me that they have not got many volunteers yet. They are still advertising for more in the Oxford Mail. Maybe the feature on the BBC news last night will bring more forward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
