News Service from House Harris

NSW: Australia-wide trial of kid's swine flu vaccine begins

SYDNEY, Aug 10 AAP - A world-first trial of a swine flu vaccine in children has begun in Australia, with the results expected to be known within weeks.

About 400 healthy children across the country will take part in the trial, with hopes the vaccine will be ready for distribution by October.

The testing began in Sydney on the same day two men suffering swine flu, both in their mid-50s, died, bringing the state's toll from the disease to 32.

A trial in adults has already begun, but the trial in children will test the appropriate dosage and safety of the vaccine for those aged between six months and eight years.

Professor Robert Booy, from the National Centre for Immunisation, Research and Surveillance, said the vaccine being trialled was similar to the one used to prevent seasonal flu.

"This is the first time in the world there has been a trial of this particular vaccine," he told reporters at the Children's Hospital at Westmead.

"But I hasten to add it is based on proven technology, we're just substituting the virus for different ones that we have used before."

Mother-of-three Natalie Shearer decided to have all her children take part in the trial because her eldest daughter, Ebony, six, was born premature and is prone to illness.

She said Ebony had been off school this term because of concerns that she might contract swine flu.

"My main focus is Ebony getting really sick, we don't know how she would deal with it," Mrs Shearer said.

"This alternative is better than the other, her getting sick, so if it works, I'm a happy mum."

NSW Health said the two men with swine flu, whose deaths were announced on Monday, had underlying medical conditions.

NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant said although the majority of people who have died with the illness have had underlying conditions, everyone should remain vigilant in preventing the further spread of the virus in the community.