William Atkins
Tuesday, 26 May 2009 18:11
Science -
Health
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According to a study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one-third of older Americans have antibodies that help to better immune themselves from the H1N1 influenza virus when compared to younger Americans.
In addition, the CDC found that because of this extra immunity in their system, very few elderly people are getting sick from the H1N1 virus.
Scientists at the CDC discovered this information when they studied blood samples from the American population.
They found that about one-third of people older than 60 years of age have antibodies that help to protect them from getting HiNi influenza, what is commonly called swine flu.
As to date, scientists think that the majority of people will need two doses of the vaccine. However, based partially on this study, people with partial immunity, such as these people over 60 years of age, may only need one dose.
American epidemiologist Anne Schuchat is quoted in the May 22, 2009 Washington Post article “
Study Detects Flu Immunity in Older People.”
Schuchat, the deputy director for the CDC’s science and public health, stated,
“Our working hypothesis is that everyone who gets this vaccine is likely to need two doses …. perhaps there will be some people where preexisting immunity will be there, and one dose would lead to a 'primed' response. That is definitely . . . something we're interested in."
Currently, a vaccine for swine flu is not available. However, it could be available in the United States by the fall of 2010.
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