There’s a glimmer of hope amid the growing concern about swine flu infecting massive numbers of people around the globe.

The bright spot comes from one of the world’s largest vaccine manufacturers that is also the second-largest supplier of flu vaccines in the United States.

Novartis reports latest clinical trials of its H1N1 vaccine (to be called Celtura) boasts an 80-percent immune response in just one dose.

This is especially important since health officials have been saying for weeks that two doses of vaccine might be needed to properly fight swine flu.

Novartis’ first pilot trial involved 100 subjects aged between 18 and 50. The study also found a potentially protective response in more than 90-percent after two doses.

The vaccine maker is still conducting larger pivotal trials with larger numbers of subjects around the world. They will include more than 6,000 adults and children.

"The pilot trial results are encouraging," said Dr. Andrin Oswald, CEO of Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics. "The study suggests that while two doses seem to provide better protection, one dose of our adjuvanted Celtura vaccine may be sufficient to protect adults against the swine flu. This is important information for public health authorities who prepare for vaccination in the coming months with limited vaccine supply."

The Centers for Disease Control continues to monitor the spread of swine flu in the U.S. The government agency reports 556 deaths across the country and nearly 9,000 hospitalizations.

The CDC reports that visits to doctors for influenza-like illness were most recently highest in February during the 2008-09 flu season, but rose again in April 2009 after the new H1N1 virus emerged. Current visits to doctors for influenza-like illness are down from April, but are higher than what is expected in the summer and has increased over the last two weeks.

The CDC offers the following guidelines for protecting yourself from swine flu:
* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
* Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
* Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Click here for more information from the CDC.