Have the Hungarians developed a 'bird flu' vaccine?

[icymist]

Hungarian bird flu vaccine proves effective in humans

BUDAPEST, Oct. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- Hungary's bird flu vaccine currently on trial has proved effective, Jeno Racz, the country's health minister, said on Friday.

"Now we can confirm unequivocally that the vaccine is effective,"Racz said, adding that an antibody was found in the blood of the vaccinated people, including himself and two other senior health officials.

The vaccine was effective against the H5N1 variant of the virusresponsible for the disease that could spread from animals to humans.

(more)
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/22/content_3666450.htm

Bird flu prompts action

WITH Avian Influenza now confirmed in Romania, Hungary has banned the import of poultry meat, livestock and all related products from the neighboring country.

If the current vaccines prove effective, the government will offer free vaccinations against bird flu, Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány announced on Monday (Oct 17).

(more)
http://www.budapestsun.com/full_story.asp?ArticleId={6634FCCE2AF94451A386E26ABE2A7CAF}&From=News

[SheilaT]

1. Since the virus doesn't

readily infect people, how do they know it's effective? Okay, I suppose that antibodies are considered to be proof enough, but it still doesn't make a lot of sense to me.