ST. LOUIS — Hundreds of Americans in eight cities are lining up for experimental swine-flu shots in a race to get a vaccine out in case the virus regains strength this fall and winter.
Sharon Frey, who is leading the government-funded testing at Saint Louis University, said scientists have been working nights and weekends to organize the studies and recruit volunteers.
“Typically it takes a year to do this,” said Frey, an infectious diseases expert.
About 2,800 people will participate in the government-led studies. Also underway are separate studies by five flu-vaccine manufacturers under contract with the government.
The studies will test the safety and effectiveness of vaccines and help determine dosage and whether it can be given with a seasonal flu shot.
The other study sites are Baylor College of Medicine in Texas, Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Emory University, Group Health Cooperative in Seattle, University of Iowa, University of Maryland School of Medicine and Vanderbilt University.
