The first clinical trial of a swine flu vaccine specifically for pregnant women has commenced in the United States. This landmark study is led by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a premier government research institute.
The trial enrolls 120 healthy pregnant women aged 18 to 39, in their second or third trimester. Participants receive either 15 or 30 micrograms of Sanofi Pasteur's investigational vaccine, followed by a second dose 21 days later.
Blood samples from the women and their umbilical cords will assess immune responses to the vaccine. Researchers aim to determine if maternal vaccination provides protective antibodies to newborns.
Pregnant women face elevated risks of severe complications from swine flu, underscoring the importance of this research for maternal and infant health.
