Initial tests will take place on about 10-20 volunteers and then on 200-300 others, said Professor Nguyen Thu Van. She said the tests should be completed in January next year. The volunteers must be healthy and will include those who work and live in a high-risk environment for disease transmission, such as poultry breeders or traders.

Production of H5N1 vaccines started in April 2004, and primary tests have already been conducted successfully on animals.