US officials believe that some doses of the H1N1 swine flu vaccine may be available earlier than expected. Estimates were that the vaccine would be available starting in the middle of October but they now think some may be available by the beginning of October instead. They will be prioritized according to need with health care workers most likely receiving them first.
It also appears that adults may only need one dose of the vaccine to be protected against the virus. In trials, researchers are also seeing that people are developing a full immune response to the virus in about 10 days with just one dose of the vaccine. This is wonderful news because it was originally thought that everyone would need two doses of the vaccine (given several weeks apart) and that it could take as long as three weeks after the vaccine was given to see immunity.
Since the immune response has been so much better than expected, it means more people will probably be able to get the vaccine. If only one dose is necessary, there will be more to go around. It is still believed that children will most likely need two doses of the vaccine.
