http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-07-22-H1N1-vaccine-trials_N.htmIn trials for H1N1 vaccine, dosage is key
GET A SHOT IN THESE CITIES
Pandemic vaccine trials will be carried out in these U.S. cities:
Houston
Cincinnati
Atlanta
Seattle
St. Louis
Iowa City
Baltimore
Nashville
Source: The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
By Steve Sternberg, USA TODAY
The race to test a new pandemic flu vaccine is poised to begin, starting with trials in healthy adults and then, if no safety questions emerge, in children, federal officials said Wednesday. The goal is to produce enough vaccine to protect at least 120 million people against an entirely new flu virus, H1N1, also known as swine flu, before flu season takes off in the fall. The new H1N1 vaccine, to be made by five manufacturers, will be produced using the same methods as seasonal vaccines, says Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, which is sponsoring the trials.
SEASONAL VACCINE: This fall's flu shot will protect against three standard strains. "We're carrying out these trials out of an abundance of caution," he says, "because it's a new (flu) strain we've never seen before and because we'd like to know the best dosage regimen."
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Dosage is important because no one knows how much vaccine will be needed to generate immunity. Researchers will test whether a single dose of the size used in seasonal vaccine, 15 micrograms, will provide protection — or whether it will take two doses of that size. They also will consider one vs. two 30-microgram doses.
Researchers also will test how well the new vaccine mixes with routine flu vaccine by giving the new H1N1 vaccine to volunteers before, after or at the same time as seasonal vaccine. If no safety problems arise, researchers will test the vaccines in children and teens ages 6 months to 17 years.
Michael Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, says finding the right dose is critical because flu vaccine is a "precious commodity." Give too small a dose, he says, and people will get infected. Too big a dose will deplete supplies. "I believe H1N1 is going to cause a very serious flu picture this season," Osterholm says. "People who want vaccine won't be able to get it, because there won't be enough to go around."
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