Paula Holy Nature

Valley fever pioneer still searching for 'the ultimate answer'

YEARS OF EFFORT

A brief chronology of the Valley Fever Vaccine Project

Valley fever can cause serious illness, disability and even death. A vaccine is considered the only way to prevent valley fever, but because of the regional nature of the illness, no pharmaceutical company is interested in developing a vaccine.

To overcome those challenges, a public/private effort began in the mid-1990s in Kern County -- an area considered hyper-endemic for the disease -- to ensure funding for research with the goal of developing a vaccine candidate to the point that a public health agency or a private pharmaceutical company might take over.

By bringing major researchers together, sharing results and funding their efforts, much progress has been made. But the development of a vaccine that can be produced in large uniform quantities has remained elusive.

1980s -- A vaccine developed by Dr. Hillel Levine is tested in human trials. Although this early vaccine had proven effective in animals, humans couldn't tolerate the pain of a dose large enough to produce an immune response.

1993 -- Drs. Hans Einstein and Johnson Jung explore the question of whether recent advances in microbiology, molecular biology and vaccinology would make it possible to develop a safe and effective vaccine against valley fever.

1995 -- With the help of local banking icon Leo Pierucci, the Valley Fever Research Foundation is formed to raise funds for a feasibility study. Pierucci died in 2006.

Mid-1990s -- Cal State Bakersfield Professor Duane Blume searches the field for promising research. He finds that consistency in funding is a problem as the regional disease is not a priority for the rest of the United States.

Mid-1990s -- Scientists from five major research institutions in Ohio, Arizona, Texas and California, all with a long history of research experience in valley fever, are brought to Bakersfield to discuss the possibility of developing a vaccine.

1996 -- Local Rotarians establish the Valley Fever Americas Foundation to pursue public and private funding.

1996 -- Valley Fever Americas Foundation representative Pauline Larwood and CSUB Dean Ray Geigle draft a plan for an advisory committee to oversee spending. Einstein initially serves as chairman. Larwood is current chairwoman.

Early 1997 -- Representatives of the foundation accompany Einstein to Sacramento to visit legislators and public health officials. Over the ensuing years, more than $8 million is allocated by the state for vaccine research.

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