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Creighton doctor studying flu vaccine effectiveness in children

A Creighton doctor is studying whether children will respond better to a flu vaccine with an added ingredient called an adjuvant.

Dr. Meera Varman’s study focuses on the flu vaccine that contains four strains of the virus. One of the two vaccines contains a substance designed to enhance the body’s immune response when exposed to an antigen.

Varman says the goal is a flu vaccine with a better response rate.

"So young kids, their response rate may be around 40, 45 percent, and this one we expect it close to 85 percent."

Varman says 45 children are currently enrolled in the study. 300 children ages six months to six years old are needed. Half of the study participants will receive the regular vaccine. The rest will receive the one with the adjuvant. Participants will be studied for a year to see if the enhanced vaccine is more effective.

More information on the flu vaccine study is available by calling 402-280-4583.