WASHINGTON -- Clinical trials on the new H1N1 flu vaccine show some
children will only need one shot, but others will need two. The first 45 million
doses of the vaccine are on track for mid-October delivery.
The main message to parents right now from the CDC is to go ahead with seasonal
flu vaccinations before the new H1N1 vaccine arrives.
The CDC said it's going to be a complicated flu season, with two different
strains of flu, two different vaccines and different dosages depending on age.
The good news is that children are expected to respond well to the new H1N1
vaccine.
"We're on course. It looks good. It appears to be acting in a way we were hoping
it would act, namely just the same way that seasonal flu vaccine works," said
Dr. Anthony Fauci, with the National Institutes of Health.
In clinical trials on the new H1N1 vaccine, most older children who received one
dose of the vaccine developed a strong immunity to the virus within eight to 10
days. For younger children, only a third showed a strong response.
The National Institutes of Health said 10- to 17-year-olds will need one shot,
while those 6 months to 9 years old will likely need two. And just like the
regular seasonal flu vaccine, those two doses should be 21 days apart.
"For planning purposes, I would suggest parents begin getting their kids
vaccinated now if they're in that category where they need two doses this year
of the seasonal," said Dr. Anne Schuchat, with the CDC.
The CDC said it's OK to get the seasonal flu shot and the new H1N1 vaccine at
the same time, but flu mist formulations of both vaccines should not be given on
the same day. Patients should check with their pediatrician first.
The federal government ordered another 56 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine
Monday, bringing the total that will eventually be available in the U.S. to more
than 250 million doses.
The findings released Monday involved shots of the vaccine, not the FluMist
version. The CDC said FluMist should only be used by healthy people ages 2 to
49.
Clinical trials involving pregnant women are still ongoing and researchers said
they should have vaccine dosage recommendations in October.
Source : Internet Broadcasting Systems
