"Crackpots" discourage swine flu vaccine uptake: Wooldridge
Fri Oct 2 04:09:07 EST 2009
Thu Oct 1 18:09:07 UTC 2009
Subject: [Fwd: FED: "Crackpots" discourage swine flu vaccine uptake: name="FED: "Crackpots" discourage swine flu vaccine uptake: Wooldridge.eml" filename*0="FED: "Crackpots" discourage swine flu vaccine upta"; Subject: FED: "Crackpots" discourage swine flu vaccine uptake: FED: "Crackpots" discourage swine flu vaccine uptake: Wooldridge
Swine flu vaccine "myths" busted ... *
MYTH: That the vaccine has been "rushed through".
FACT: The vaccine was made using the same process used for seasonal flu vaccines, it has passed the rigorous requirements of the Therapeutic Goods Administration, and a study shows it worked while being "generally well tolerated".
MYTH: Swine flu is mild so you're better off becoming immune by catching it rather than being vaccinated.
FACT: While the swine flu is mild in most cases it has been severe in some people. From May to September 4,500 Australians with swine flu needed hospital treatment and 179 deaths were linked to the flu.
MYTH: The vaccine contains mercury which is a toxic substance usually banned in vaccines.
FACT: The vaccine contains a small amount of thiomersal, a mercury-based preservative that has been used to ensure sterility in vaccines for about 60 years. The WHO has reviewed the safety of thiomersal-containing vaccines and found no evidence that it was toxic to children or adults.
MYTH: The vaccine is unsafe to use in children, and has not been tested on pregnant women and therefor they should avoid it.
FACT: Pregnant women are at increased risk of death from swine flu and the WHO, along with other health bodies, recommends flu vaccinations during pregnancy. A trial of the vaccine in children will be completed this month, and this must occur before the TGA can approve its use in those aged under 10.
MYTH: The swine flu vaccine created in response to a 1976 outbreak was linked to cases of paralysis, and this vaccine will do the same.
FACT: It's a different vaccine for a different virus, and studies on flu vaccines since 1976 have shown no increased risk of paralysis.
MYTH: People with egg allergies shouldn't have the vaccine as its manufacturing process uses eggs.
FACT: Only a small proportion of people who have the most severe of egg allergies are not recommended to use the vaccine. The majority of people with egg allergies have only mild cases and they can have the vaccine under supervision.
* Information provided by CSL Ltd, maker of the Panvax H1N1 vaccine, and supported by members of an independent expert panel at The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, on Thursday.
