Doctors are recommending the vaccine mainly for high-risk patients and children.
While the latest buzz in the city may drone around dengue, Bangaloreans haven't got over the swine flu scare yet. Now with the swine flu vaccine available in the market — both in injection and nasal spray form — many are showing an interest in getting themselves vaccinated. Doctors are recommending it for high-risk patients and children.
“The H1N1 vaccine will be available till August 31. The vaccine is effective for a year and a new vaccine will be available by September 1. Thus, I am recommending that most of my patients desist from getting vaccinated unless the child is seriously ill with chronic illnesses like diabetes, or kidney and liver disease,” said Dr Preethi Galagali, consultant paediatrician, Radha Ortho and Pediatric clinic and a member of the Indian Pediatric Academy.
The nasal vaccine is not recommended for children below three years of age and the injection is not recommended for anyone below 18 years of age. However, by September, another vaccine form (injection) is expected to hit the market.
“This vaccine will be a combination of the common flu vaccine and swine flu vaccine and is recommended for anyone above six months of age,” said Dr Preethi.
“In at least in 10 to 15 per cent of cases, parents show an eagerness in getting their children vaccinated,” said Dr Karthik Nagesh, HoD, neonatology, Manipal Hospital. However, it is expected that with the launch of new vaccines in September, the demand will shoot up.
“There is the possibility of another epidemic. And since young children are susceptible to complications related to H1N1 infection, it is advisable to get them vaccinated this season. However, the nasal vaccine — a live attenuated vaccine — is recommended for children above three years of age. Thus, it is best to wait for the seasonal vaccine that will have cross coverage for the common flu and swine flu,” said Dr Nagesh, president of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics in Bangalore.
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