Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that the H1N1 or pandemic flu could “peak” in October with no vaccine available yet—-emphasis on the could.

This story says that the first shots may start at the end of this month and, it appears, be available by the first week of October. As the trials show that immunity developed in study subjects in eight to 10 days, this could be the break the world needs for this pandemic.

Bloomberg

“Swine flu vaccinations may begin in three weeks, earlier than previously anticipated, after the first U.S. tests found a single shot to be effective in eight to 10 days, U.S. health officials said. (Emphasis added)

“The first shots may be available by the end of this month and administered to patients the first week of October, said Nancy Cox, director of the flu division at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. Health officials had previously planned for vaccinations to begin in mid-October, requiring two shots administered three weeks apart.

“Swine flu outbreaks have rippled across U.S. schools and universities after pupils returned to classes in the past few weeks. Washington State University reported more than 2,500 cases, and the CDC last week reported a nationwide spike of influenza cases months earlier than the past three flu seasons. The test results are boosting hopes the vaccine may be available in time to curb the first pandemic in 41 years, Cox said.”

Source: Bloomberg, September 13, 2009