Uncle Sam Wants You - To Be a Guinea Pig

Here's a novel way to serve your country and fellow man: how about being the first in line to lend a hand (actually an arm) to the vaccine makers, in order to test the new H1N1 vaccine. Adults are among the first ones vaccinated and tested to be sure there are no adverse effects of the vaccine, such as allergic reactions. If the vaccine proves to be free from side effects, children will be the next in line to be tested.

The race is on to produce and test the vaccine before the fall onslaught of flu is expected. There have been worries from various quarters that the number of cases we are now seeing will only be the tip of the iceberg, when “normal” flu season usually begins. The government may be facing a two-pronged attack as both the H1N1 influenza virus and the normal seasonal variant, which may be a strain of the Beijing flu, take hold.

Experts are not expecting that the H1N1 flu vaccine will cause any worse side effects than the usual seasonal flu shot. Common side effects are likely to be the usual ones seen, such as redness, swelling, and discomfort at the injection site. Guillain-Barre syndrome is among one of the worst side effects that can occur with any flu shot, but it is not expected that the new vaccine will cause this rare syndrome, which can cause paralysis and, rarely, death. In any case, those who take part in the clinical trials will be monitored closely. The advantage to taking part in the trial is that volunteers will be scrutinized very carefully for any adverse effects of the vaccine, and should be fully immune to the virus in time for fall flu season.

Cities that will be taking part in the clinical trials include Baltimore, St. Louis, Houston, Iowa, Cincinatti, Atlanta, Nashville and Seattle.

Related Links:

H1N1 Vaccine: Who Gets it First? from Health Guru

Novel H1N1 Influenza Vaccine from the CDC

What to Do if You Get Flu-Like Symptoms from the CDC