GALVESTON — The University of Texas Medical Branch has been selected by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to conduct pediatric vaccine trials for the H1N1 virus, commonly called the swine flu virus.
The pediatric trials are important because there could be another outbreak of the flu just as school begins, and because children might lack defenses to the virus, Dr. Christine Turley, vice chairwoman for pediatric clinical services and a scientist with the Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, said.
Because adults have been exposed to influenza viruses many times, researchers believe they might have some immunity against a new virus strain.
“However, because children have had so many fewer seasons of exposure to influenza, their immune systems are considered naive and at much higher risk for serious illness and death than adults,” Turley said. “This is a key reason that the vaccine is being studied in children so quickly.”
The government in April declared the H1N1 virus a public health emergency, and the World Health Organization has classified the H1N1 virus as a pandemic, which reflects the widespread nature of the outbreak.
UTMB will be conducting the trials as part of the government-funded H1N1 vaccines trial effort, under a subcontract with Houston’s Baylor College of Medicine.
