H1N1 Vaccine for Pigs

ISU Researcher Develops H1N1 Vaccine For Pigs
POSTED: 4:18 pm CDT May 6, 2009UPDATED: 5:24 pm CDT May 6, 2009

AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State University officials said Wednesday that one of their researchers has developed a vaccine to protect pigs from the H1N1 flu virus.

Dr. Hank Harris developed the vaccine after a Canadian swine herd was found to be infected with the H1N1 virus. He's a professor in animal science and veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine at ISU.

"Now that H1N1 virus is in pigs, we're seeking funding to conduct a proof-of-concept study to demonstrate how rapidly we can produce an effective and safe vaccine for pigs," said Harris, in a statement released by ISU on Wednesday.

Harris owns a start-up company at the ISU Research Park called Harrisvaccines, Inc., which uses a technology to help produce vaccines faster than older techniques.

Harris said that his new vaccines are waiting for governmental approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Approval could come as early as 2011. Read More



Even though there has only been one isolated case of any pigs actually contracting H1N1, a vaccine may be available soon. This vaccine would hopefully protect the pigs from us humans. Even thoughyou can’t get H1N1 from eating pork, this could add another level of protection to our food supply by keeping our pigs healthy.