Swine Flu Vaccine Works in Children

Anna Dye
September 22, 2009
Physics

Studies of the new swine flu vaccine were released this week. In the study, kids aged 10 to 17 were injected with the vaccine, and then the number of antibodies in their bloodstream were counted ten days later. Of the 600 kids tested, around 76 percent had enough antibodies to be considered immune. The other 24 percent were expected to create more antibodies over time. Younger children, 6 months to 9 years, were still treated, but not as well as the older children and it’s recommended that they get a second shot about twenty days later. The second shot is also recommended for people who have never had a flu shot. A nasal for of the vaccine will also be provided, but not recommended for children under 2 or people with asthma.
For months, swine flu has been a scary topic. People go to the hospital for something as little as a sore throat, just in case it’s the dreaded swine flu. With a functional vaccine available to everyone, hospitals will be able to care for the truly sick much easier and much quicker. Schools will also be able to stay open if a student contracts the virus where as they would have had to close just months ago. Science has become very quick in just the past twenty years; before it would take way too long for a vaccine to be formed where now it takes just a few months. Maybe in the future, vaccines can be created before an epidemic is created.
I am really excited that there is a vaccine. While I will most likely not receive it, my brother (who has virus induced asthma) and grandma will be able to. This vaccine can save many, many lives. I am so amazing that this was created so quickly, and that it will be out even quicker.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/22/science/22swine.html?_r=1&ref=science