China experiments with SARS vaccine

China has approved human trials of an experimental SARS vaccine, and 30 people have already volunteered to be the first test subjects.

Researchers warned that the government’s approval of what it called the first phase of human trials does not mean the vaccine can be produced for widespread use anytime soon.

“There is still a lot of research work that needs to be done before this medicine can be effectively used,” said Zheng Xiaoyu, director of the State Food and Drug Administration.

China plans to inject volunteers this month with a vaccine made from a dead sample of the virus that scientists say causes severe acute respiratory syndrome. It said tests on animals have shown it to be effective.

The first phase of tests will be to find out if the vaccine is safe for humans, the official Xinhua News Agency reported. The vaccine seeks to make the human body immune to the live SARS virus, the agency said.

Development of the Chinese vaccine began in April, state media have reported.

The World Health Organisation has urged China to share the results of its tests with scientists in other countries to foster cooperation and verifiable adherence to safety precautions.