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September 16, 2009

Swine flu vaccine approved by FDA

The Food and Drug Administration approved four swine flu vaccines and some 45 million doses of it should be available by mid-October, federal officials said yesterday afternoon.

Preliminary trials of the vaccines showed a "robust immune response in most healthy adults eight to 10 days after a single dose," said the FDA in a statement.

The news comes on the heels of Friday's announcement that the vaccine works in just one dose rather than two, defying scientists' expectations and fears that there might not be enough vaccine to go around.

Officials spent $1 billion to secure 195 million doses of the vaccine and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says "we will have enough vaccine for everybody." Priority groups such as pregnant women and health care workers will be at the front of the line.

The FDA's stamp comes as the vaccine is still being tested in children and pregnant women, who are thought to be at greatest risk of complications from the H1N1 virus.

Results from the trials on children could be ready in a few weeks, said Dr. Wilbur Chen, a flu expert who is overseeing the clinical trials of the vaccine at the University of Maryland's Center for Vaccine Development. But trials in pregnant women will take longer, since they just began last week.

For now, Chen thinks that the results will find this vaccine is as safe and effective as the seasonal flu shot -- and for all groups of people.

Perhaps a bigger question is will everyone want one?

Results from our less-than scientific poll here at Picture of Health found that 44 percent of you say you will get the shot, while 35 percent of you would not. Another 20 percent are not sure.

An interesting story in the LA Times takes a look at the growing issue of vaccine skepticism

I wonder if the latest FDA news might alter anyone's decision. 

AP photo

 

Posted by Kelly Brewington at 7:00 AM | | Comments (1)
Categories: Swine flu/H1N1
        

Comments

I would be very hesitant to get the shot after reading this article:
http://www.healthiertalk.com/approach-swine-flu-vaccination-shot-skepticism-0931

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About Picture of Health
Meredith CohnMeredith Cohn has been a reporter since 1991, covering everything from politics and airlines to the environment and medicine. A runner since junior high and a particular eater for almost as long, she tries to keep up on health and fitness trends. Her aim is to bring you the latest news and information from the local and national medical and wellness communities.

Andrea K. WalkerAndrea K. Walker knows it’s weird to some people, but she has a fascination with fitness, diseases, medicine and other health-related topics. She subscribes to a variety of health and fitness magazines and becomes easily engrossed in the latest research in health and science. An exercise fanatic, she’s probably tried just about every fitness activity there is. Her favorites are running, yoga and kickboxing. So it is probably fitting that she has been assigned to cover the business of healthcare and to become a regular contributor to this blog. Andrea has been at The Sun for nearly 10 years, covering manufacturing, retail , airlines and small and minority business. She looks forward to telling readers about the latest health news.
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