Swine flu vaccine looks promising for children

Preliminary results for the H1N1 vaccine show promising indications that it can effectively protect children, Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said Monday. The trial, when completed, will include results from approximately 600 children in various age groups.

The early results show strong immune response in 76 percent of children aged 10 to 17 who received one 15-microgram dose of the vaccine. Younger children will likely need two doses, a recommendation similar to that for seasonal flu, and those doses may need to be given at least 21 days apart. Not all formulations of the H1N1 vaccine may be given at the same time as the seasonal flu vaccine.

More data is expected to become available as trials continue, although it may not arrive until November.

"I'm sad to say that there have been 47 deaths in children due to the H1N1 flu since it emerged in May," said Anne Schuchat, director of the Centers for Disease Control's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. "At this time, we normally have zero pediatric deaths."