In trials for H1N1 vaccine, dosage is key

[SoCalDem]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-07-22-H1N1-vaccine-trials_N.htm

In 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."

snip

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."

snip

[CoffeeCat]

1. Yeah right...

I really want to participate in a "pandemic vaccine TRIAL" in this corporatist country--where big
Pharma gets to foist all sorts of unsafe/dangerous drugs that HAVE been approved.

And this is a trial!

And look at those cities---just look at these "trial" cities. Seattle and Iowa City are
two of the most widely known, liberal cities in America. The rest of those cities contain
a large African American population, as well as large populations of lower income and
blue-collar/working class populations.

No...nothing wrong here folks!

[Jack Sprat]

2. You just backed me away

LOL. Not that I ever considered or even knew about the trial, but I sure don't want near it now.

[Mojorabbit]

3. They make flu vaccines every year

I'd do it if they were doing it in my area. My husband had the fairly mild version going around now and I didn't get it. I am wondering if getting the swine flu vaccine in the seventies as a graduate nurse has given me some residual protection.

[SoCalDem]

5. There was an article a month or so ago, that said it just might

I'll look for it..:)

I've never had a flu shot..or the flu, for that matter (fingers crossed)

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. I already got mine, courtesy of mother nature

:-)

[HOLOS]

6. History shows dosage is killer

[Contrary1]

7. I was in a clinical trial for an investigational cancer drug...

It was to determine dosage and involved a very small group (less than 50). It was supposed to last a year, but the side effects were so bad that half dropped out in the first three months.

I applaud the human guinea pigs.