Study to evaluate vaccination methods for most vulnerable in bioterrorist attack.

2004 AUG 4 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) have been awarded a $10 million program grant to investigate methods for vaccinating those most susceptible to biological attacks or natural diseases.

The 5-year study, led by investigators at the OHSU Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, will investigate vaccination methods to improve disease protection for seniors and infants, groups that, on average, have weaker immune systems than the rest of society. Funding is provided by the National Institute on Aging, a component of the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

"When it comes to bioterrorism, protection of sensitive, vulnerable populations is a major challenge," explained Janko Nikolich-Zugich, MD, PhD, director of this research program and a professor and senior scientist at both the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and the Oregon National Primate Research Center of OHSU.

"Currently, many vaccines are not recommended for children in their first 12 months or those over the age of 65. However, regardless of whether there is a biological attack in the country's future or not, this research is critically important.

"Seniors and young children are at a significantly higher risk than the rest of the country when it comes to infectious disease. Because of their weakened immune systems, they cannot be vaccinated against many of the pathogens that threaten us and can be spread naturally or purposefully. Through this study we will use smallpox vaccination to gain a better understanding of the immune systems for these groups and based on this information, we will work to develop vaccination methods that will afford them protection against disease."

The research plans include several key goals:

1) to understand ...