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Vaccine for common childhood infection may finally be possible

Research

Oxford University researchers have successfully completed the first human trial of a vaccine for a common virus that is particularly dangerous to infants.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

After fifty years of failed attempts around the world, a vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a major cause of respiratory disease, may now be within sight. The vaccine was conceived and initially tested in animals by a team of scientists at Italian biotechnology firm Okairos (now Reithera Srl), working with the UK’s Pirbright Institute. Their results are published in journal Science Translational Medicine.

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