Swine flu shots on track so far

KANSAS CITY, Mo.-Everything so far is on schedule to begin delivering swine flu shots to the public by October.Government officials already are working with manufacturers to package the vaccine in vials-the "fill and finish" stage-for distribution to doctors and clinics and hospitals.

About 50 million vaccine doses should be ready by mid-October, officials are saying.

Swine flu vaccine tests started on adults about two weeks ago at medical centers across the country. Tests on children began last week at various locations.

Scientists are still monitoring safety data. And they don't yet know if we'll need one shot or two to gain enough protection against this H1N1 virus.

"It's possible we'll see two peaks," one of swine flu and one of seasonal flu, said Norman Edelman, chief medical officer of the American Lung Association.

Swine flu recently subsided in the U.S. When the new flu season starts, there could be an upsurge in cases.

Or maybe not.

And while most cases so far have been relatively mild, swine flu has put almost 8,000 people in the hospital and caused more than 500 deaths in the United States.

Here's what we do know:

Who has top priority for the first available doses of swine flu vaccine?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has adopted a list of people who should get the vaccine first when supplies are limited:

-Pregnant women.

-People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age.

-Health care and emergency services personnel.

-Young people 6 months to 24 years old.

Anyone 25 to 64 who has a medical condition, such as heart disease or diabetes, that puts them at higher risk from flu.

Why are older people not included among the priority groups?

Older people usually are among the most vulnerable to flu. But this time, the young top the list.

There's been a high swine flu infection rate among children, and children and young adults have accounted for more than half the swine flu deaths, said Jay Butler, director of the CDC's H1N1 vaccine task force.

Older people may have some swine flu immunity from their experience with previous flu seasons.

"There's no level of immunity among children," Butler said.

And as children come in close contact at school, we run the risk of amplifying the spread of the virus, said Sharon Frey, a physician who is leading one of the vaccine studies at St. Louis University.

"The older people are doing better (with swine flu) than the younger people. The younger people are at greater risk," Frey said.

"The children haven't seen it, so they'll be infected by it, and they spread it among themselves and then to their parents."

Is the swine flu vaccine safe?

The preliminary evidence looks promising.

"There are no red flags regarding safety," said Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

The first couple of weeks of testing on adults has not turned up any side effects, other than occasional pain and swelling where the vaccine is injected into the arm.

The same things can happen with regular seasonal flu vaccine.

After reviewing the initial findings from the first week of tests on adults, a federal safety panel cleared the way for tests to begin on children.

If I get the swine flu vaccine, will I be protected against regular seasonal flu?

Unfortunately, no.

Seasonal flu shots will protect against three viruses expected to be most prevalent this fall and winter. But swine flu is caused by a new virus that isn't included in the seasonal vaccine.

"The seasonal flu is not going away. It's just as important (to be vaccinated) as it was last year or the year before," said Edelman of the American Lung Association.

Tests are under way at St. Louis University and elsewhere to determine whether getting the swine flu vaccine with the seasonal vaccine offers any advantages to immunity.

But the seasonal flu vaccine is expected to be available in September, ahead of the swine flu shots. And Edelman recommended getting a seasonal flu shot right away.

"It should be plentiful," he said. "Get it early. Get it in September and October."

What should you do if you have flu symptoms?

Flu causes a lot of misery: Fatigue, fever, severe body aches, along with cough and congestion.

"If anyone thinks they have flu, call the doctor," Frey said.

Depending on what viruses are circulating in the community, your doctor may offer a prescription for antiviral medications that can make the illness milder, she said.

"If you think you're sick, you should be staying home," Frey advised. "You should not come in contact with other people."

And to avoid getting the virus or passing it to others, wash your hands frequently, she said.

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(c) 2009, The Kansas City Star.