New group helps U.S. monitor swine flu shot safety

Marisa Grunder, 27 of Wilton, Iowa, is given a shot during trials of an H1N1 vaccine, developed by CSL of Australia, at the University of Iowa Health Center on August 11, 2009 in Iowa City, Iowa. The University of Iowa Health Center is one of 8 trial sites across the nation conducting human studies on the new vaccine which is looking at optimal dosage levels for a variety of age groups. (David Greedy, Getty Images)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Independent health advisers will begin monitoring the safety of the swine flu vaccine Monday.

Specialists aren't expecting problems with the shot, because it's made the same way as the regular winter flu vaccine.

But the government is taking extra steps to track the health of millions of Americans, to spot any problems quickly and explain false alarms when common disorders coincide with inoculation.

The specially appointed group of experts will hold private meetings to raise the red flag if the government misses anything.

The group Monday will hear government and manufacturers' data from studies of the vaccine in more than 10,000 people.

A summary of the data says there's nothing to suggest any issues from the shot, but it cautions that the studies aren't large enough to rule out any very rare risk.

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