Glaxo says one H1N1 vaccine dose works well

GlaxoSmithKline said on Monday a single shot of its H1N1 swine flu vaccine protected people from the virus, adding to evidence that tight supplies can be stretched further by avoiding the need for two doses.

The British drugmaker is the latest company to report success with a single dose. Results from the first clinical trial with its candidate vaccine showed nearly 100 percent protection three weeks after vaccination. A single dose of Glaxo's adjuvanted vaccine protected 98 per cent of healthy volunteers, even though it contained a lower than normal amount of antigen, or active ingredient. Adjuvants are immune-stimulating compounds added to vaccines to boost their effectiveness.