Kids Roll Up Their Sleeves for H1N1 Clinical Trials

[CoffeeCat]

Source: CNN

FREDERICK, Maryland (CNN) -- Andrew Stein, 10, and his brother, Nathan, 7, are having a typical end-of-summer vacation: hanging out at the pool, visiting their grandparents and waiting for the beginning of school.

But this week they're doing something most of their classmates will never do. The Stein brothers will be testing the new vaccine to prevent swine flu.

Because the younger population, from 6 months to 24 years, is at high risk of developing complications from the H1N1 virus, the National Institutes of Health is conducting a clinical trial specifically to make sure the vaccine is safe for children. Vaccine developers hope to get the doses out by mid-October, before the flu season really shifts into high gear.

(snip)

The studies are based on other influenza trials in the past. Many parents have already volunteered their children but openings still exist. Children 6 months to 35 months are needed, Kotloff said. "Like with any shot, children may have a sore arm. Your arm can be red...There might be some fever or achiness, but the symptoms go away in a couple of days.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/08/20/h1n1.flu.kids.trial/index.html

[Earth_First]

1. Yikes!

While I understand the necessity of clinical trials; this one wierds me out.

[notadmblnd]

2. parents volunteering their children as guina pigs

Wow, Just wow.

[Purveyor]

3. "Wow, Just wow..." Indeed! Beam me up....now!!!

[AngryOldDem]

7. That's how Salk tested the polio vaccine.

Some kids did contract the disease.

[northernlights]

4. the pediatric trials are follow-on to adult trials

They already tested the vaccine on adults for safety, efficacy and dosage.

[CoffeeCat]

5. There was a week between the adult and child trials....

The adult H1N1 clinical trials started, and then a week later, the children's clinical
trials started.

In my opinion, a week is not a lot of time.

What about any long-term effects? Those are definitely unknown.

So far...so good--but I don't think we can imply that this vaccine is "safe", so therefore
they moved onto the children. The CDC is calling this a "compressed clinical trial" meaning that
they're doing this in a very short amount of time. Shorter than usual.

Here's a link about the compressed adult/kid's trials. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Em0Sojdmduc

(Also, I'd like to know more about the vaccine. Is this live flu that is being injected? It is a
combination of bird, pig and human? If so, has that ever been done before?).

[nc4bo]

6. Plus they get a $40 gift card for their trouble (at end of article).

[BuddhaGirl]

8. unbelievable!!

they're giving this vaccine to children? What about the untested additives that received "emergency" approval??

:scared: :scared:

[CoffeeCat]

9. I know!

I was astounded by this article.

How could parents offer up their children as guinea pigs like this? I, wouldn't put my
children in ANY clinical trial for any drug.

I won't be getting this vaccine and my children won't either.

There are so many questions I have. And so many reservations. 30,000 people die from the flu every year. This swine
flu was not as deadly as originally thought. It was less deadly than a typical flu--with a smaller percentage dying
from it, than does during a normal flu season.

People have said, that this flu may mutate into a more deadly form. Ok, I understand that. However, in its current
form, it's not a big threat. So, how can you create a vaccine if the virus is still changing?

I'm trying to research this... I'd like to know what is in this vaccine? Is it pig, human and bird flu virus? Is this
a vaccine combination that we've done before?

I'm mostly finding a huge media campaign about these clinical trials. That bothers me. I'm feeling propagandized.

I did find this...from ABC. Apparently the top infectious-disease doctors in Australia are warning against this vaccine. They
believe there is no need and that the vaccine could cause harm and other negative consequences.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/20/2662321.htm

I hope people continue the conversation about this. I would like the truth. I don't really trust the PR blitz coming out of
our corporate MSM--that is being spearheaded by big Pharma--who will stand to profit immensely from these immunizations. It's
entirely possibly (given the corrupt corporate climate in which we live) that these vaccines are unnecessary--or worse.

And I am not anti-vaccine! My two girls got all of their shots on schedule, and will continue to get them.

[crim son]

11. I agree with you on all counts.

I'm not anti-vaccine either - my kids have all the basic ones that have stood the test of time, and none of the new ones, nor shall they until I know for sure there are no unforseen, disastrous side effects.

[CoffeeCat]

13. Yes, exactly!

The current vaccinations that kids get--have been around for a while. There's been enough time to know if
there are negative, long-term consequences.

I'm waiting on Gardisil, for sure.

The problem, as I see it--is that there is so much potential for corruption when it comes to corporations, these days. They pay off the
politicians, who give them what they want---and if there is a problem that we find out about later...oh well. Big pharma is so
powerful. These days, I want assurances. How many times has a drug been released, and then the FDA reveals later that the drug
kills or the side effects are so horrendous that it is not worth taking the drug? Too many to count!

With this kind of model--I just can't take the chance with my own kids.

[stubtoe]

10. Makes sense to me. Kids' immune systems are still developing,

that's why they catch every virus out there anyway. That, in turn, causes them to become wonderful sources of inoculum to infect their elders with!

[Blandocyte]

12. So, the source of the coming mutant apocalypse

has been identified. Maybe it will give some of them super powers?

:scared:

:evilgrin: