The chicken antibodies could be administered as a nasal spray. This form of 'passive vaccination' could also be applied to prevent disease caused by the current pandemic H1N1, using egg yolk antibodies from hens vaccinated against the H1N1 virus.

"This study provides a rational basis for the use of passive immunization as an adjunct strategy for early intervention against pandemic influenza, especially in countries that have implemented mass vaccination of poultry," said Dr. Cecil Czerkinsky, Deputy Director-General of the IVI.

"This is a very exciting project that could be carried out with materials produced in the developing world in the absence of a highly complex infrastructure. As a result, this approach would have the opportunity to save millions of lives," said Dr. David Briles, a renowned microbiologist at University of Alabama at Birmingham in the U.S.

Source: International Vaccine Institute