Sanofi says children under 10 likely to need two H1N1 vaccine doses.

The CBS Evening News (10/14, story 4, 1:20, Couric) reported that "the first injections of the H1N1 flu vaccine were given to the public today, but for children under ten, one shot will not be enough. The vaccine's maker says they'll need two injections to be fully protected."

The AP (10/15, Marchione) reports that vaccine maker Sanofi Pasteur said that tests of its H1N1 "vaccine suggest that children under 10 are likely to need two shots to be fully protected." According to federal officials, these results are "not surprising, since this age group needs two doses of regular seasonal flu vaccine the very first time they ever are given a flu vaccine for full immunity to develop." Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases confirmed that Sanofi's "results back up what government tests are showing."

Bloomberg News (10/14, Serafino) reported that the clinical trials also "showed the vaccine triggered an immune response" that "was well tolerated," and patients experienced no serious side effects. The "Booster Shots" blog of the Los Angeles Times (10/14, Maugh) also covered the story.

College H1N1 cases said to be increasing slowly. In its "Booster Shots" blog, the Los Angeles Times (10/14, Maugh) reported that the American College Health Association said that "influenza-like illnesses, generally assumed to be pandemic H1N1 influenza, continued their slow growth on college campuses with a two percent increase last week." While "regional outbreaks of swine flu appear to have peaked already in the Southeast, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions...the Midwest, Rocky Mountain area and Southwest are experiencing increases." Dr. James C. Turner, president of the organization, said, "Many outbreaks will have waned significantly by the time H1N1 vaccine becomes widely available," so the next few months are "a critical period for achieving high rates of immunization among college students before the next wave starts this winter."

Schools, hospitals throughout US deal with H1N1 virus. The AP (10/14) reported, "The largest hospitals in central Indiana are putting more restrictions on visitors as they try to stem the spread of swine flu." Marion County Health Department director Virginia Caine said that "every major hospital in the city has agreed to tougher visitation rules." Methodist Hospital, Indiana University Hospital, and Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis will only allow parents, spouses, domestic partners, and clergy to visit patients.

The Washington Post (10/15, Goodman) reports, "Schools and hospitals in Southern Maryland have reported several cases of swine flu, and health and school officials are continuing to battle the virus." The Post adds, "Southern Maryland's three county health departments and school systems are planning to host flu clinics for residents and students." William Leebel, a spokesman for the Charles County Health Department, said that people with "flulike symptoms probably have the H1N1 strain," as "the seasonal influenza usually hits during the winter holidays and in January."