The Australian Society of Clinical Immuology and Allergy reports that around 1 in 20 children suffer from food allergies (and of these, about one in ten could suffer a severe reaction, causing anaphylaxis) and around 1 in 100 adults are afflicted.
Patricia Ilman is a mum whose daughter has very bad allergies to tree nuts. When her daughter was little she developed the allergy, got very bad anaphylactic shock and Patricia was shocked that there was no vaccine. So she set up the Ilhan Food Allergy Foundation
Patricia revealed exclusively on the TODAY show that their company have got the go ahead to start clinical trials to create a vaccine for peanuts. This is the first trial in the world.
When the clinical trials start it means Australia will lead the way around the world when it comes to developing a nut vaccine.
The vaccine is only for people who are allergic to peanuts and will only stop those who suffer from having anaphylactic shock.
All the research is being undertaken by Professor Robyn O'Hehir from the Alfred Hospital. They believe that when the clinical trials get started, which will be next year, it will take about 3 years of testing until they can then get a pharmaceutical company on board to make the drug and put it on shelves.
For more information visit www.ilhanfoundation.org
