November 25th, 2009
The Arkansas Department of Health says 18 people have died from complications of H1N1 (swine) flu since Aug. 1.
Additional vaccine supplies for protection against H1N1 flu are arriving in the state, the agency said, and more is on the way. People in all of the higher risk groups can begin to check with their providers to get protection from the H1N1 flu
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention says certain people at higher risk should receive vaccine first:
● pregnant women,
● persons who live with or provide care for infants less than 6 months of age (e.g., parents, siblings, and daycare providers),
● health-care and emergency medical services personnel,
● persons aged 6 months–24 years, and
● persons aged 25–64 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications.
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November 20th, 2009
About 40 people died after being vaccinated against the H1N1 influenza pandemic, but investigations so far show the deaths were not caused by the vaccine, the World Health said on Thursday.
The agency reiterated that the vaccine against the pandemic was safe and he was concerned that some pregnant women and others at risk were it to flee due to fear of side effects.
“No security problem has been identified from published reports to date … so many reports confirming once again that the vaccine against pandemic influenza is as safe as the vaccine against seasonal influenza,” Marie-Paule Kieny WHO Expert vaccines during a conference call.
Governments have so far reported that 65 million doses of vaccine have been administered against H1N1, known as swine flu in 16 countries, but the real figure is probably higher as vaccination campaigns are underway in 40 countries she said.
Common side effects reported include swelling and redness or pain at the injection site, although some had a fever or headache, and the symptoms usually disappear after 48 hours.
A “small deaths” were reported, she said, and a spokesperson later that figure to 41 in six countries.
“Although some investigations are still ongoing, the results of completed investigations reported to WHO have ruled that the vaccine against the pandemic is the cause of death,” said Kieny.
Less than a dozen suspected cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome were reported after vaccination pandemic, “she said. “Only some of the Guillain-Barre syndrome may be related to the pandemic vaccine …. and patients have recovered,” she added.
The rare neurological condition is related to a 1976 U.S. swine vaccination against influenza. Although no cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome has never been linked to the vaccine, the belief that the vaccine was worse than the disease remains widespread.
“No significant difference”
GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca Plc, Novartis and Sanofi-Aventis are among about 25 manufacturers to produce H1N1 vaccine using different techniques.
“No significant difference in safety profile between the different types of vaccine has been detected,” said Kieny.
She denounced the conspiracy theories about vaccines that are circulating on the Internet, saying they were causing “artificial concerned.
“We must remember that vaccines are safe, that the disease in some people can be serious and may be the cause of death,” she said.
Novartis announced Tuesday a U.S. clinical study suggests that half a dose of its H1N1 vaccine could be sufficient to generate a protective immune response.
Kieny said the WHO was aware of reports of other drug makers that half of the dose was effective, but cautioned that the studies generally involved small numbers of people.
“This may well be the case that a smaller amount of vaccine in May have a protective effect, but it is really for national regulators to define what is the best vaccination schedule in their country,” she said. “Currently, we believe that a single dose vaccine that is licensed to be used in adults at least.”
A survey of doctors revealed Wednesday that more than half of Britons offered vaccination against H1N1 were turning down because they were afraid of side effects or believed that the virus was too small to bother.
“It is indeed worrying that some groups do not seem to come easily to get vaccinated. But we hope that the data … safety of these vaccines will allay concerns that could have a population and contribute to convince them that the vaccine is safe and that vaccination will protect against this disease can be severe, “said Kieny.
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