Vaccines & vaccinations guide

Many people know of the current vaccinations on the market. Those vaccines included MMR (Measles, mumps, and rubella), varicella (chickenpox), tetanus and more. There are many vaccinations that are currently undergoing intense rounds of testing, however. Do you know about those?

In August 2006, China began the first round of testing on a vaccine that will prevent HIV (the virus that causes AIDS.) Forty-nine volunteers were paid approximately $250 to take part in this test.

After receiving the vaccine, the volunteers were checked regularly to ensure they were not having any side effects and that antibodies to HIV had built up in the bloodstream. After 180 days, all forty-nine volunteers had demonstrated no side effects and all showed antibodies against the horrifying disease.

Currently, there are more than one dozen cancer vaccines undergoing their testing rounds. Earlier this year the first vaccine for HPV (a virus linked to cervical cancer) received approval. This is an important step in helping beat cancer. There are far more vaccines yet to be released, however.

In 2007, a vaccine to prevent prostate cancer could hit the market. Provenge has been tested for effectiveness. Provenge appears capable of eliminating 95% of the abnormal cells that can cause prostate cancer. The vaccine is being tested currently for side effects.

The same company that is working on Provenge has a vaccine for melanoma in the works. Early testing shows the vaccine slows the development of this deadly cancer, but there has been no proof that it can actually stop the disease. The vaccine is being altered and then retesting will occur.

Breast cancer vaccines are hot on the pharmaceutical market. Currently, one company is getting close, but they are looking for additional funding. At the moment, the vaccine slows the development of this cancer by about ten months.

With many more cancer vaccines in the early stages, perhaps some cancerous cells will finally be conquered. In the near future, there may be updates on vaccines for colon cancer, breast cancer, skin cancer, prostate cancer, and more!.