Clinical trials for H7N9 influenza vaccine have started Phase 2 studies and are going to be testing different dosages of the inactivated influenza vaccine candidate.
The H7N9 influenza is better known as the avian flu or the bird flu. This strain of the flu was just reported for the first time in 2013 in China. The WHO (World Health Organization) reports that there have been at least 1,500 cases since then.
How Bird Flu or H7N9 Spreads
Thankfully the NIH reports that there aren’t any active cases of H7N9 in the USA at this time. This is not a human to human spread virus, but it still is very dangerous. It is spread by direct contact with contaminates or infected poultry. Make sure you are washing hands with warm water and soap and dispose of paper towel or tissue in the correct trash receptacles. There is the concern however if N7N9 would become human to human spread it could cause a pandemic with a high mortality rate. This is why clinical trials are incredibly important. Don’t go to public places when you are sick. Use surgical masks if you do need to go to public places.
To help prevent the spread of N7N9 you act similarly to other strains of the flu. You need to wash your hands, but make absolutely sure to do this after handling food. When you cough/sneeze you need to turn your away from others
Per NIH you can learn more about the trial: “For more information about the two clinical studies referenced in this press release, please see the Questions and Answers or visit ClinicalTrials.gov using the identifiers NCT03312231 and NCT03318315, respectively.”
The NIH has information about the clinical trial in detail here: https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/h7n9-influenza-vaccine-clinical-trials-begin