Specialists from the USA have started the first phase of clinical trials of a flu vaccine, which is expected to be effective against various strains, the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) at the Ministry of Health and Humanitarian Affairs announced on its website. 

The vaccine was given to healthy volunteers aged 18 to 55 at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

At this stage, up to 100 people are expected to take part in the seven-month trials.

Specialists will regularly check how the immune system of the volunteers reacts.

The experimental vaccine was developed by the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

Its director, Anthony Fauci, said: "Influenza vaccines, which can provide long-term protection against a wide range of seasonal influenza viruses as well as viruses with pandemic potential, would be an invaluable tool in public health."

According to Fauci, in the preclinical phase of the study the drug showed "very good results". 

Previously, an experimental vaccine, in the production of which four strains of bird flu were used, was tested on animals.

It has proven to be effective in the application of two doses, adds BTA.