H1N1 clinical trials in Austin

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The H1N1 vaccine will be widely available next month, but clinical trials for the vaccine are continuing and actually happening right here in Austin.

"I have not been phased by it at all," said Doris Overton, who is taking part in clinical trials for the H1N1 vaccine. "It hasn't bothered me. I'm not worried about it."

Overton, 70, said she's been doing well since her first shot in August.

But when the vaccine comes out next month, it will have only gone through about four months of clinical trials. Typically those trials last a minimum of 6 months with researchers then analyzing the data for up to a year.

"It was felt with the unique H1N1, it's basically a variant of the flu virus, so the manufacturing process emulated the existing manufacturing," said Dr. Laurence Chu, principal investigator with Benchmark Research.

That means it could be rushed to market without a lot of concern. Still, there are still many unanswered questions, especially surrounding possible long-term side effects.

"In terms of truly knowing what the side effects are, I think we can be comfortable in knowing it won't be greatly different from what it is with our current seasonal flu vaccine, but we don't know," said Chu.

And so far, that's the case with pregnant women since the H1N1 vaccine hasn't been tested on them.

"We don't know all of the details involved with the current unique H1N1," said Chu.

In 1976, when the H1N1 virus was going around and a vaccine came out, thousands came down with the paralyzing Gallian Barre Syndrome as a side effect of the vaccine.

Doctors said clinical trials show no similarities with what happened 30 years ago, and the best advice is to consult a doctor before getting the vaccine since some medications could lead to complications.

"I just feel with any vaccine you have to outweigh the risks of not receiving the vaccine and being infected with the virus," said Monique Limon, who is taking part in the clinical trials.

Benchmark Research is looking for more people to take part in their clinical trials. Participants are paid. 

The company is looking for kids between the ages of 3 months to 12 years old and adults who have never received a flu vaccine.

Call 1-800-369-2875 for more information about taking part in the clinical trials.