The season of the spring bird migration - a heretofore unremarkable event - is nearing, but by that time the Russian Influenza Institute would not be able to complete the clinical trials and start mass production of vaccine against bird flu, director of the Institute Oleg Kiselyov told journalists.

According to the virologist, the vaccine that was developed as long ago as May 2005 is being human-tested now. A definitive decision on its mass production should be reached February 9 at a meeting with Russian Head Sanitary Inspector Gennadi Onishchenko.

Before the vaccine has come up on sale, with the first symptoms of acute respiratory disease or in cases of bird flu doctors recommend taking a "Gamma Interferron" preparation. O. Kiselyov points out that it was this medication that helped to ward off atypical pneumonia.