Russia to have bird flu vaccine ready by March

MOSCOW, October 25 (Itar-Tass) - Russia's research institute for influenza is launching clinical trials of a bird flu vaccine on volunteers, institute director Oleg Kiselyov said at the 3rd congress of the Russian society of biotechnologists on Tuesday. "We developed a vaccine in May; it's now necessary to try it on people for effectiveness," Kiselyov said noting that tests will begin "any day." The Health and Social Development Ministry together with the Rospotrebnadzor federal agency for the Protection of Consumer Rights and Human Welfare have allowed clinical trials in which 20 volunteers will take part.