IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) -- Even at 16, Will Ross realized the shot injected in his left arm was for more than his own benefit.
"I do see it as trying to help other people figure out a vaccine," said the Iowa City West junior, one of the first participants in a pediatric study of H1N1 vaccine that began Monday at University of Iowa Children's Hospital.
The UI was one of eight sites nationwide chosen by the National Institutes of Health to test a vaccine for the H1N1 virus, previously called swine flu.
Tests are being expedited in a race against a predicted resurgence of H1N1 flu, which experts believe could be more severe than what the country has seen so far.
Dr. Patricia Winokur, who is leading the UI study, said safety data from adult trials was analyzed before children received any shots.
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"It's a balance of being safe enough and not postponing the trials to get the data," she said. "There's an urgency to start getting data with the kids. That's a very high risk group."
Unlike seasonal flu, which hits the elderly hardest, H1N1 has disproportionately affected children and young adults.
A U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory committee recommended everyone aged 6 months to 24 years old receive the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available.
Winokur said some vaccine is expected in mid-October, but it was unknown how much would be ready. The trials will help determine how the U.S doles out what could be a limited supply.
Already, 170 adults enrolled in another portion of the study at the UI.
Winokur said some of the adults reported low-grade fever and tenderness at the injection site, but nothing unexpected.
Children at the UI will receive two H1N1 vaccinations and a seasonal flu shot. Researchers will analyze how and when the H1N1 shot should be given with seasonal shots.
St. Louis University is the lead site for the pediatric study, with a total of 650 young participants expected nationwide. About 100 children, ages 6 months to 17 years old, will participate at the UI Children's Hospital.
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Bubbles and flashing lights from a plastic Mickey Mouse figurine distracted 3-year-old Greta Gordon during most of her hospital visit, but her brown eyes filled with tears as she felt the shot go in her leg.
Her mother, Sara Gordon of Swisher, said the short-lived pain would be worth it to protect her daughter.
As of last week, at least 2,185 people worldwide had died from H1N1 novel influenza A, according to the World Health Organization, including 522 in the United States. The average age has been 38.
One middle-aged Iowan died this summer.
Ross missed band practice and two classes to begin the vaccine trial. He plans to use the $370 he receives as a participant for a class trip to Spain.
His mother, Jill Ross of Iowa City, said both she and Will suffered through a week with the flu two winters ago, so she hoped the shots would prevent illness in her son and his brother, Paul, 13, who is also participating.
For Greta, a pink cupcake sticker from Child Life Specialist Bri Wojtak sufficed, though her parents also planned to buy a gift for her.
Her mother, a pediatric nurse practitioner at the hospital, said she had read online comments that were critical of parents who enrolled their children in such studies.
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Because Gordon works in health care and her daughter is in day care, "Greta is in one of the higher risk populations," she said. "So if swine flu becomes what it's predicted to be, we can protect her this winter."
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Information from: The Gazette, http://www.gazetteonline.com/
