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Swine Flu Vaccine Trial

At the age of 16 years, Will Ross is among the first participants of the pediatric study of H1N1 vaccine which started recently at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. The UI or the University of Iowa is one of the 8 sites around the nation chosen by National Institutes of Health for testing vaccine for H1N1 virus, formerly known as swine flu. Tests have been speeded up in the race against a foreseen resurgence of swine flu that the experts believe can be more serious than what has been experienced by the country so far.

Dr. Patricia Winokur, the leader of the study said that safety data from the adult trials has been analyzed before giving any shots to the children. She added that getting data from the kids is an urgent need because they are the high-risk group.

Unlike the seasonal flu that usually attacks the elderly people, H1N1 disproportionately affects young adults and children. An advisory committee of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends all people from 6 months to 24 years of age to receive the vaccine, once it becomes available.

Winokur said that some of the vaccine is expected to be available in Mid-October but the quantity that will be available is not yet known. The trials will help in determining how the country will distribute the limited supply of the vaccine.

170 adults have already enrolled in another part of the study conducted at the University of Iowa. Winokur said that some adults reported tenderness at the site of the injection and low-grade fever, but nothing serious or unexpected was reported. Children at the University of Iowa will get 2 H1N1 vaccinations and a seasonal flu shot. It will be analyzed and determined by the researchers that when and how the H1N1 shot has to be given with the seasonal shots.

St. Louis University has been the leading site for pediatric study, with 650 young participants expected around the nation. Around 100 children from 6 months to 17 years of age are going to participate in the UI Children’s Hospital.

Ross had to miss his band practice and 2 classes to start his vaccine trial. He is planning to use the $370 he will receive for participating in the trial for a trip to Spain with classmates. Jill Ross from Iowa City, his mother said that both Will and she herself had to suffer with the flu 2 winters ago for a whole week. She hopes that Will and his brother, 13 years old Paul who is also participating, will get protection from the illness.

The WHO reported that last week, more than 2185 people from around the world died due to H1N1 novel influenza A, including 522 alone in US. The average age of these people was 38 years.