Swine FluJust another Totalaccessnet.com Blogs weblog

According to the World Health Organization, efforts for developing a swine

flu vaccine has been ongoing since the first human case of the virus has

been confirmed. Estimates place the initial doses of the vaccine will be

administered in 5 to 6 months time.

While people diagnosed with H1N1 virus seems to be headed for recovery,

there have been deaths recorded. Aside from that, receiving vaccines for

this virus is important particularly the elderly and individuals with a

weak immune system, since they are prone to complications such as

pneumonia.

Likewise, the vaccine will serve as protection in case the condition

persists particularly during the winter months which is the time when

influenza is at its peak.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), although they are still

incomplete, current evidence shows that seasonal influenza vaccines will

provide minimal or no protection against swine flu. Every year, a new batch

of flu vaccine is developed and matched with strains that the WHO

determines will most probably circulate in the winter months, which happens

to be the peak season for influenza outbreaks.

Influenza virus comes in various strains which contains different proteins

on their surfaces. The body’s immune system can only fight and destroy a

virus if they are able to recognize these proteins. It is worth noting that

antibodies that recognize one strain may not detect other strains.
Existing vaccines may only offer some protection against swine influenza if

the proteins on its surface are identical to strains used to develop

previous vaccines. According to the NIBSC, they are trying to determine if

the swine flu virus, which is an H1N1 strain of type A influenza, as well

as previous H1N1 vaccines match current vaccines.

The preparation of a vaccine commences after a virus develops as they

provide the starting point for the production of the vaccine. As such,

there is always a time delay while a vaccine is being developed.

Preparation of a vaccine involves several steps so it would take several

months before a vaccine becomes available.

According to WHO estimates, the virus needed for producing the vaccine will

be accessible to vaccine manufacturers by the middle of May while the

initial dose for a new vaccine would be ready within 5 to 6 months after

that. Waiting time would be much longer if the growth of the vaccine

proceeds rapidly.

Vaccination plays a crucial role in the prevention and reduction of the

effects of serious conditions. Unfortunately, they are not entirely

effective and could lose its effectiveness if the virus mutates.
Existing flu vaccines are valid for about one year and are 70% – 80%

effective against transmission with strains of influenza virus that are

identical to strains used in the production of vaccines.

The WHO believes that it is too early to tell how the A(H1N1) virus would

change. It is closely monitoring any changes in the virus and this would

help countries quickly react to any important changes that the virus may

show.

Vaccines help the body combat certain diseases in case an individual

becomes afflicted with the illness in the future. On the other hand, an

antiviral drug is used on people who is already infected with a virus.

Although they work in various ways, they generally work to prevent the

virus from spreading to different cells in the body.

Swine flu vaccines are administered prior to exposure to a virus so they

would be protected from that agent. Antivirals only work if administered

within a certain period of time before or after they are exposed to the

virus.