CRO signs vaccine research deal; Novavax prepares IIa flu trial;

Vaccine Research

The CRO Encorium has signed $6.2 million in new contracts to undertake new vaccine research work. Encorium release

Novavax has completed enrollment of healthy volunteers in a Phase IIa clinical trial of its virus-like particle based seasonal influenza vaccine. Novavax release

San Diego-based Inovio Biomedical has received a contract for $933,000 from the Department of Defense to continue research and development of DNA-based vaccines. Inovio release

Sinovac Biotech is launching new studies in China as it sets out to develop a vaccine against hand, foot and mouth disease, a childhood disease that is caused by human enterovirus 71. Sinovac release

Researchers in the U.S. say that new insights into immunity responses in humans could lead to a more effective pneumococcal vaccine. Story

Wyeth Pharmaceuticals has launched a community acquired pneumonia immunization trial in adults, studying an investigational 13-valent conjugate vaccine designed to help prevent pneumococcal pneumonia. Wyeth Release

Vaccine Market

The CDC is recommending that a record number of Americans get a flu shot this fall. And they've made sure that a record amount of flu vaccine will be on hand. Report

Fears that the MMR triple-shot vaccine could be linked to bowel problems and autism has persuaded a growing number of parents in the UK to avoid the jab for their kids. And as a result, the number of measles cases should break 1,000 for the first time in decades. Story

Twenty-two major medical groups in the U.S. have joined forces to spread the message that vaccines are safe. Report

A Catholic school in the UK is refusing to allow girls to get the HPV cancer vaccine on campus. Story