Swine Flu.

Vaccination

 

 

 

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What is a Pandemic

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Most vaccines are grown in hen's eggs, and even after purification can contain tiny traces of egg protein. Normally this is no problem, however about one person in 10,000 is so allergic to eggs that even this trace amount can set off a serious allergic reaction. This usually causes swelling of the face and other parts of the body. Constriction of the throat, difficulty breathing and collapse of the blood pressure. Occasionally, the reaction can be fatal without treatment..
Whilst most people in this situation would know about the problem, just occasionally the reaction can happen unexpectedly.

When a true allegic or "Anaphylactic" reaction happens it is very rapid, usually starting within one or two minutes. Without treatment the person can be near death after just a few minutes.

This all sounds very frightening, and when it happens it is very frightening, however such extreme reactions are fortunately rare. The treatment needed is one or more injections of adrenaline prior to rapid transport to hospital. The adrenaline injections are quite literally life-saving, and people who know that they can have this reaction, frequently carry one with them, and are trained how to self-administer if needed.

Clearly it is essential that when any vaccinations are being given, adrenaline must be immediatly to hand if needed. There is no time to go and get it. Because the reaction comes on so quickly, everyone is asked to stay on the premises of the vaccination clinic for at least ten minutes after the injection. It is bad enough having such a reaction at all, but having it in the street away from immediate medical help is a whole lot worse! By keeping people on site, for ten minutes at least there is trained help immediatly to hand, as is the adrenaline. hhh

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About the vaccine

As with most vaccines the Swine-Flu vaccine is being prepared by growing the virus in hen's eggs, then inactivating and killing it prior to purifying a small part of the virus protien which forms part of the vaccine. So the vaccine does not contain live Flu Virus, in fact to be strictly accurate, it does not contain dead Flu Virus either. Just a purified version of one tiny part of the mashed up, dead virus.

Who gets it first ?

Now this needless to say is the point that will be much argued about. Common sense surely dictates that front-line health care workers and those known to be at the greatest risk of complications from Flu, are those to be vaccinated first. There is not a lot of point in having millions of doses of drugs and vaccine if all the Doctors and Nurses are off sick with the Flu so there is nobody to give it.
The people most at risk from Pig-Flu are the same people most at risk of any Flu. They already know who they are as they get called for a flu-jab every year. All GP Practices know who these people are as well, because they have to get them in each year for their vaccinations.

After these obvious groups it is going to be difficult to prioritise various people. The scale of the task makes it quite impossible to vaccinate everybody who wants it, in the sort of timescale that will make it useful . Fortunately the setting of such priorities will not be our job but will be decided by those "in charge" of such things.

What can Flu Vaccine do ? What can Flu Vaccine not do ?
  • Stop You getting Flu. This it does very, very effectively. Whilst nothing can ever be 100% the number of people who get real, proven Flu after the correct vaccine is very small.
  • Give you a sore arm. Yes most people will get some swelling and discomfort of the area around the injection site. It is to be expected. It does not matter.you do not need to phone to tell the Doctor. Leave it alone it will go away.
  • Cause an allergic reaction. A very, very tiny proportion of people have such a strong allergy to Hen's eggs, that even the tiny traces of egg protein left behind in the vaccine, can be enough to set off a serious allergic reaction. More Information
  • very little else. It does what it says on the tin. !!
  • Give you Flu.
  • Give you a mild dose of Flu.
  • Give you any other illness

 

As the Flu Vaccine does not contain Flu Virus, it follows that it can not give you Flu, not even a mild dose of it.

This old chestnut comes up every year without fail. Everybody always knows someone who had a Flu vaccine once years and years ago and has never been the same since. Many people, (often the same ones) also insist that the last time they had a Flu Vaccine they developed the worst flu that they ever had just ten seconds after the injection.

Well yes I may be exaggerating, but not by much. Every year we get the same old stories trotted out for why Mr or Mrs Bloggs can't possibly have a flu vaccination. Its may sound strange but you always know when one of these is coming, there is a certain triumphant look in the patient's eye as they trot out what they think is their reason for not being vaccinated. Usually there is a definite "well that spoils your day doesn't it Doctor" look of satisfaction on the patient's face. For some reason, some people are quite convinced that if they refuse vaccination then it takes the shine off the Doctor's day. There seems to be slight failure to understand that it will be them who gets ill, not me!!

We suspect that it will be a bit different with Pig-Flu. There can not possibly be enough doses of vaccine and staff to give it, to satisfy the demands of all who will want it. So this year if you don't want your Flu vaccine then that is fine, there will be a queue of people who will be delighted to have yours.