Jay Butler, MD, from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 45-52 million doses of the new H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine will be available by mid-October followed by weekly availability for up to 195 million doses by the end of the year.

Given that there are 5 drug manufacturers working to produce the vaccine, availability of the vaccine may be earlier than October.

Vaccination trials are currently underway and by mid-September, the National Institutes of Allergy and Infections (NIAID) hopes to have preliminary data available on the dosing (1 versus 2) and strength (15 mcg vs 30 mcg) of the vaccine. Preliminary reports show no adverse events in the adult population that would delay testing in the pediatric population.

High risk groups for developing complicatoins for the H1N1 (Swine) flu virus include:

• pregnant women
• children and adults 6 months – 24 years
• 25-64 year olds with medical conditions that put them at high risk of complications
• health care workers (because of their increased exposure to the influenza virus)
• persons who care for or live with infants less than 6 months of age (infants have no immunity to protect against the virus and are too young to get the vaccine).

There are no specific plans to include morbidly obese people in the high risk groups despite the fact that this group was found to have increased morbidity (illness) and mortality (death) this past spring and summer. The reason for this is because obesity in and of itself does not appear to be an independent risk factor. Those who did die or who were hospitalized as a result of the H1N1 virus, tended to have underlying illnesses such as asthma, diabetes etc.

You can get more information at the CDC website.