Emory Begins H1N1 Vaccine Trials

Calling it "a race against time," Emory began giving volunteers the first shots of the H1N1 vaccine.

Emory is one of eight centers nationwide testing two vaccines for pandemic flu.

Emory researchers have a lot of questions about the vaccine: number one: is it safe? Number two: how many doses are needed? Number three - can it be given with your seasonal flu shot - or do they need to be separate?

Volunteers have offered to help researchers find out.

An Atlanta restaurant owner and mother of three and a retired couple are the first volunteers to receive the new H1N1 vaccine at Emory University's Hope Clinic Monday.

About 200 Georgia adults and 100 children will be given both their pandemic and seasonal flu shots, because researchers are trying to figure both types of vaccines when flu season returns this fall.

"The current seasonal flu vaccine actually has three strains in it. So what we're talking about with a seasonal flu vaccine is in essence a fourth strain. I think if the immune system can handle three, in all likelihood it can handle four," said Doctor Mark Mulligan.

One of the volunteers -- Carolyn Atherton -- said she wanted "to benefit mankind. Hopefully they'll find a cure."

Emory researchers said they expect the pandemic flu vaccine to be very similar to the seasonal flu shot administered each fall.

That vaccine is approved without clinical trials because it's basically the same formula each year, just tweaked to include the three strains of flu that are currently circulating.

Other trial locations include Baylor College of Medicine, Saint Louis University, University of Iowa, University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore and Vanderbilt University.