An update on clinical trials of H7N9 influenza vaccines

In February 2013, a novel avian influenza H7N9 virus emerged in China, and has caused significant mortality and morbidity in humans. Since the human population is expected to have little or no pre-existing immunity against A/H7N9 virus, there is an urgent need to develop effective vaccines. The present review summarizes the preliminary immunogenicity data of H7N9 vaccines from recently completed phase I clinical trials. The current status of the various types of H7N9 vaccines that are in clinical evaluation and the information of clinical trial applications for H7N9 vaccine in China are also provided.