Chiron Corp HCV E1/E2 Vaccine

The purposes of this study are to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of a vaccine (the HCV E1/E2/MF59 vaccine) against hepatitis C (HCV). The vaccine will be given to 60 healthy adult volunteers (aged 18-45 years) and the study will compare the immune system (the body's protective response) response to the HCV E1/E2 vaccine given at different dosage levels: 4 micrograms, 20 micrograms, or 100 micrograms in MF59 adjuvant (substance that can improve vaccine effectiveness). The volunteers will be assigned randomly (by chance) to 1 of 4 different groups. Volunteers in each group will receive a shot of the vaccine or a placebo (shot with no medication). Participants will be involved in study related procedures for up to 71 weeks, which includes blood samples, recording symptoms on a diary card, and 4 vaccine or placebo injections.