Tue, 08 Sep 2009 12:00a.m.
A classroom of fifth graders in Washington, D.C. have been studying up on the H1N1 virus, reports CBS News correspondent Michelle Miller.
"They said they were going to start vaccine-ing people, like, maybe in October," said one student.
And even though the last thing the want is another shot, they're pretty grown up about the idea of a vaccine.
Children are especially vulnerable to the H1N1 virus. The CDC recommends that school-aged kids be among the first to get vaccinated.
And parents seem to be getting the message. In a new CBS News poll, 45 percent say it's very likely they'll sign their kids up for the shot. Another 22 percent say it's somewhat likely.
"We've talked to our paediatrician and he thinks it’s a good idea," said John Cavanaugh, who has twins.
But D.C. paediatrician Joanna Sexter has doubts about its safety.
We don't yet know a whole lot about the swine flu vaccine," Sexter said.
Concern over the haste of this inoculation program stems from one back in 1976. Twelve Americans died and hundreds more were paralysed after getting the swine flu vaccine.
"I'm probably not going to be the first doctor on the block to give the vaccine," Sexter said.
Clinical trials on the new vaccine have begun on children between the ages of 6 months to 17 years. And while early results of adult testing found no serious side effects, final results aren't due out until late October, potentially after the government launches the first 45 million doses nationwide.
"You hear stories about how they're rushing to make huge quantities of vaccine," said Jeanie Mah, a parent.
So some parents say they're not taking any chances.
"I'm just not quite there yet until we get more research on what the effects could be on children so young," said Kwame Brown, a parent.
But Erin Loubier and her kids have reason to be among the first in line.
She and her 8-year-old daughter contracted H1N1 this summer. Now, she says, she'll take all recommended precautions - including a vaccine.
CBS