Children getting flu shots in H1N1 study at University of Iowa

IOWA CITY - Bubbles and flashing lights emitted from a plastic Mickey Mouse figurine distracted 3-year-old Greta Gordon during most of her visit today to University of Iowa Children's Hospital.

But tears filled her brown eyes as flu vaccine was injected into her leg.

Her mother, Sara Gordon of Swisher, said the temporary pain would be worth it to protect her daughter from what could be a serious strain of flu.

Greta was the first participant in a pediatric study of H1N1 vaccine that began today at the hospital.

The UI was one of eight sites nationwide chosen by the National Institutes of Health to test a vaccine for the H1N1 virus, previously called swine flu.

Tests will help determine how the U.S. doles out what might be a limited supply of vaccine.

About 100 children, ages 6 months to 17 years old, will participate in the trial at UI Children's Hospital.

The children will receive two H1N1 vaccinations and a seasonal flu shot. Researchers are analyzing how and when the H1N1 flu shot should be given with the seasonal shot to make it most effective.

Already, 170 adults have enrolled in another portion of the study at the UI.

St. Louis University is the lead site for the pediatric study, with a total of 650 young participants expected nationwide.

Tests are being expedited in a race against a possible resurgence of H1N1 flu, which could happen when seasonal flu strikes this fall.

Dr. Patricia Winokur, who is leading the UI study, said safety data from the adult trials was analyzed before children received any shots.

“There's an urgency to start getting data with the kids,” she said. “That's a very high risk group.”

Unlike seasonal flu, which hits the elderly hardest, H1N1 has disproportionately affected children and young adults.

As of last week, at least 2,185 people worldwide had died from H1N1 novel influenza A, according to the World Health Organization, including 522 in the United States.

One middle-aged Iowan died this summer.

The average age of death has been 38 years old, with about one-third of victims having no pre-existing medical conditions.

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