Originally from: mona parr
                        
SMALL-SCALE FIELD STUDY FOR BOVINE TB VACCINES
 
Defra is to start a small-scale, three year vaccine field study in badgers as part of its ongoing research to control bovine TB.

Research into the use of a vaccine for badgers has been underway since 1999. It has now reached a stage where field trials are necessary for the next phase of the vaccine licensing procedure.

The study will primarily gather safety data, but will also attempt to assess the protective effect of the vaccine. The badger field study and ancillary diagnostic testing is estimated to cost about £1.1 million a year for three years. Further work on oral vaccine formulation development is to be taken forward from November 2005 at a cost of £500k a year for three years.

The vaccine used, BCG, is the same one used in man.

Animal Health Minister Ben Bradshaw said: "We will be injecting badgers with the vaccine during the study. There are cases where this method of administration may be useful as an alternative to culling, for instance in disease hotspots.

"To that end, both the UK and Republic of Ireland are continuing to carry out work on a version of BCG that can be taken orally."

The proposed field study, which will take place in a high bovine TB prevalence area in the SW of England, should start in mid 2006, at the end of next Winter's closed season. Defra is now seeking landowner permission and evaluating improved diagnostic tests to support the study.

Defra has also announced further work looking at new vaccine candidates and delivery protocols in a natural transmission study in cattle at the Veterinary Laboratories Agency. A naturally infected herd will be used to compare the effectiveness of several vaccines.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2005/050609a.htm