Although it is estimated that a vaccine against the H1N1 virus could be ready by the fall, which is typically the start of the flu season in North America, this virus is not behaving in the manner to which we have become accustomed. Usually, we worry about the very young and the very old falling victim to the most severe cases of flu. With the H1N1 virus, the opposite seems to be happening: most of the confirmed cases have occurred in older children and young adults. In addition, the normal course of the flu season is not being adhered to- normally, we would see the flu season beginning to wind down in the spring. This is not happening with the new flu; in fact, it is going stronger than ever.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is now scrambling to decide who should be vaccinated when the vaccine becomes available. Current thinking is that vaccinating children should become the priority, as flu viruses usually run rampant in schools where children are in close proximity and are less than vigilant about using proper hygiene measures. This would have the added benefit of protecting those at home who might be more vulnerable to severe illness, such as those with faulty immune systems, heart and lung disease, and pregnant women.
Countries are queuing up to buy the vaccine once it becomes available. The United States alone has pledged $1 billion to vaccinate its citizenry. Other countries are following suit, albeit in a smaller fashion. However, WHO has estimated that under the best of circumstances, drug manufacturers could produce up to 4.9 billion doses, leaving more than a billion people with no vaccine. The fact that the virus is composed of three different virus strains complicates matters further. What is even worse is that the virus has now spread to places that have a history of providing less than stellar health care, namely South Africa and other countries such as New Guinea and Laos.
What is certain about the H1N1 virus is that it is still spreading rapidly, and people are still dying, making the creation of a vaccine and its dissemination a crucial issue in the coming months.
Related Links:
Pregnant Women Urged to Take Tamiflu for Swine Flu from Health Guru
Vaccines for the New Influenza A (H1N1) from WHO
H1N1 Vaccine from JAMA
