H1N1 Swine Flu Update - Vaccines, Clinical Trials and Elmo, Too

Monday June 1, 2009

While H1N1 Swine Flu seems to have taken a back seat in the news, it still marches on, as do the efforts to be sure it won't develop further into pandemic status.

Here are some updates:

Statistics: As of June 1, 10,000 confirmed and suspected cases of H1N1 Swine flu, plus 15 deaths in the United States, with at least one reported case in all 50 states. Officials also state that only one in 20 cases is reported, meaning, + or - 200,000 actual cases. In Canada, 1,118 confirmed cases of swine flu. Across the globe, a total of 13,398 laboratory confirmed cases and 95 deaths. The most recent reports of swine flu illness were reported in Singapore and Bahrain, according to the World Health Organization.

Pandemic Status: Remains at 5. A full, WHO-defined pandemic is level 6. The goal, now, is to make sure it never gets to a 6.

Vaccine Status: $1 billion have been appropriated in the United States to test a vaccine through clinical trials, with a goal of making a vaccine ready by October.

This vaccine will be different from seasonal flu vaccine in at least two ways. First, the initial vaccine will be a live vaccine, meaning, there may be cautions against using it for some groups of people. Second, because it may include an "adjuvant," which is an extender added to a vaccine to boost the body's immune system. By adding adjuvant, each dose of the vaccine will need less of the live virus to work. (Most seasonal flu shots are comprised of a dead virus, meaning no adjuvant is needed.)

Clinical trials will take place over the summer to test a number of aspects of the vaccine. They will test the adjuvant, they will show whether one or two injections will be needed, and they will show what age groups need the vaccine, or what groups should avoid it because of side effects or other problems.

Just because the vaccine is being readied does not mean it will be manufactured in massive doses for all of us. No decision has been made yet on whether the H1N1 vaccine will be made available like the seasonal flu vaccine is.

And, soon, coming to media near you -- Elmo will be promoting flu protection! The front line of protection is still focused on hygiene -- washing and sanitizing hands, covering mouths and noses -- all those good hygiene practices your mother taught you. Elmo is in the process of developing public service announcements to show kids how to practice good hygiene.

No surprise that the best way to stay to protected is to prevent the contagion of the disease to begin with. We can do that by educating ourselves:

Frequently Asked Questions About H1N1 Swine Flu
Should You Fear the Swine Flu?
Swine Flu -- Facts, Fiction and Fraud
Swine Flu - Additional Facts and Resources (including maps, and links to official Swine Flu websites)
Is It OK to Have Pork Chops for Dinner Tonight?
Learn more about clinical trials, too.

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