China's health watchdog has approved an indigenously developed vaccine for the first time against staphylococcus aureus, a super bacterium resisting antibiotics.
The vaccine, co-developed by the Third Military Medical University and a local pharmaceutical enterprise, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
The recombinant staphylococcus aureus vaccine, the very first developed by China, can effectively prevent and cure the infection of staphylococcus aureus and enhance the infection control capacity of the army, state-run People's Daily reported.
Due to the abuse of antibiotics, staphylococcus aureus among other bacteria has developed an extensive drug resistance and are called super bacteria, which endanger the health of the humans.
Zou Quanming, director of the research team of the Third Military Medical University, said: "Compared with other vaccines against super bacteria, this vaccine is more effective. It can not only cover the shortage of toxic and side effects of other vaccines but also reduce the cost".
"Vaccinated only three times within seven days, the recipients can effectively prevent themselves from infection of staphylococcus aureus. The vaccine is undergoing clinical trials and has obtained nine national patents, he added.
Staphylococcus aureus is a type of bacteria commonly found on the skin and hair as well as in the noses and throats of people and animals. These bacteria are present in up to 25 per cent of healthy people and are even more common among those with skin, eye, nose, or throat infections. It can cause food poisoning when a food handler contaminates food and then the food is not properly refrigerated.
