All swine flu, all the time
A quick swine flu roundup this afternoon.
Ever wonder why we have to get seasonal flu shots every year? Why they doesn't provide long-term protection like most vaccines do? My story in the Baltimore Sun this morning tells the tale. In a nutshell, the flu is this slippery, rapidly mutating viruses that changes so quickly that one year's vaccine just won't work against the next year's circulating strain.
Researchers for years have been trying to develop a universal flu vaccine, one that would guard against all strains of the flu -- even those like the pandemic H1N1 virus we're seeing this year. It would remove the need for the scramble underway now to develop, test and administer a vaccine to counter a brand-new virus. It would already work against all flus, even a strain never seen before. Development, however, could be a decade away.
A short science lesson on how it might work: Current flu vaccines target two parts of the virus — hemagglutinin, the protein spikes covering most of its surface that when inhaled help it stick to the cells lining the nose and lungs, and neuraminidase, the enzyme that releases the viral particles into cells to infect them. These are also the parts of the virus prone to rapid mutation, the main reason why no one has yet been able to stop all influenza. Researchers are looking to target (much smaller) parts of the virus that don't appear to change.
Also in the Sun today, an excellent op-ed piece by two Johns Hopkins researchers, Dr. Ruth A. Karron and Dr. Ruth R. Faden. They question whether the United States has the responsibility to produce not only enough H1N1 vaccine for its residents but whether the country should make enough doses for nations that can't afford to do it themselves.
"Careful research established that in the 1918 pandemic the death rate in poor countries was as much as thirty-fold higher than the death rate in wealthy countries; it is predicted that up to 96 percent of deaths from a new pandemic may occur in developing countries," they write.
One more thought on swine flu for today. I caught a bit of this morning's "Today" show on NBC. The segment that was airing: How to protect your kids from swine flu as they return to school.
It was the same-old advice we've heard for months. Wash their hands regularly (and long enough for them to sing "Happy Birthday"). Don't let them share things like cups with each other. And if they're sick, keep them home. This is news? My question is this: Is it just an example of needing to say something, anything, about the swine flu epidemic? Or do they think people just haven't been listening? I'm not really sure which is the answer.
Comments
Is this vaccine is a parmanant?
If flu virus have got change in his structure.Than what is the next step you w'll take?
Plz give me a appropriate answer.
Posted by: Amit | August 17, 2009 3:01 PM
You mean if the virus mutates will the vaccine work? No Amit, if the virus mutates and becomes more virulent then this vaccine may not be fully protective. No flu vaccine is permanent. It usually confers immunity for the upcoming flu season. This flu season, the H1N1 is supposed to return and be more destructive. But no one can say for sure. Check out all the adjuvants that have gone into your H1N1 vaccine. Some of these you could be allergic to. Also there are researchers who contend that these adjuvants could trigger autoimmune disorders. The important questions are: have the manufacturers had enough time to test these vaccines in human volunteers and in other animals? Could these vaccines be potentially dangerous? Novartis produced a bird flu--H5N1 vaccine which was tested in Poland on the homeless and several died--hurried production could also result in contamination and mistakes in manufacture. Do yourself a big favor Amit--this winter and fall protect yourself--wash your hands thoroughly, sneeze into a napkin and throw the napkin away, avoid crowded places if possible, if you are a health care worker you may have no choice--you may have to stick out your arm for the vaccine but if you are not a health care worker and you have decided against the vaccine--eat right--sleep well each night and take enough vitamin D--ask your doc to measure your 25 hydroxy D levels--1000 units a day should keep your immune system humming along nicely--again most flu viruses outsmart the doctors and the researchers, they also change genetic character by a method known as reassortment and intense animal farming has caused havoc by helping along the birth of these lethal strains. It is wonderful that our government wants as many of us as possible vaccinated but I myself think that hurriedly manufactured vaccines with adjuvants to increase their potency pose their own specific risks to the vaccinated population. Also there is no guarantee this flu vaccine will be any better than a placebo--precisely because of your smart reasoning Amit people should be careful. There may be experts with a totally different view on the subject. For your own safety you should keep reading as much as possible about it.
Posted by: Anonymous | August 17, 2009 11:37 PM