The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that it has approved 4 vaccines against the 2009 influenza A (H1N1), or swine flu, virus. Approximately 40 to 50 million vaccine doses are expected to be available and distributed within the next 4 weeks, and a large-scale swine flu vaccination program will begin in mid-October.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting that physician visits for flu-like illnesses are increasing around the country and are higher than expected at this time of year. Based on early data, the approved swine flu vaccines are effective in eliciting an immune response in most healthy adults within 10 days after vaccination. Studies regarding the optimal dose of the swine flu vaccine for children are still underway, and early results are expected soon.

All 4 swine flu vaccines are manufactured using the same processes, but one of the vaccines is administered in the form of a mist that is delivered through the nose rather than as an injection.

Although the swine flu vaccines have been well-tolerated in ongoing clinical trials, the FDA advises that people with known allergies to chicken eggs or other vaccine components should probably not be vaccinated. The initial doses of swine flu vaccine will be reserved for health care workers, pregnant women, children, and young adults, as these populations are disproportionately affected by the swine flu.

Source:

U.S. Food and Drug Administration News Release, September 15, 2009.