H1N1 jabs for health workers

BY AMY MILNE

Health professionals are arming themselves against an early pandemic outbreak of swine flu this autumn.

Otago and Southland District Health Boards staff have been lining up this month for their free H1N1 influenza A vaccine in an effort to protect them and others from the virus.

Otago and Southland Medical Officer of Health Marion Poore said health officials were taking a two-stage approach to influenza this year.

The first stage was an early protection vaccine against the H1N1 strain to those who fit the eligibility criteria.

This required two doses three weeks apart.

"The vaccine is free to frontline health care workers and anyone under 65 who is morbidly obese, pregnant, or has underlying health conditions such as respiratory problems or heart disease," Dr Poore said.

The second stage would be the usual seasonal vaccine, which was a single dose and free from mid-March to those aged 65 and over, frontline medical staff and anyone with underlying health problems.

Dr Poore said it was difficult to predict what would happen with influenza viruses this year.

"The seriousness of the illness is no different to what it was last year but because only a few people are protected with natural immunity, it's likely we'll see large numbers of people who become sick.

"So vaccination is the most effective way of preventing illness.

"And this year we do expect the H1N1 strain to be the predominant strain in our community," Dr Poore said.

According to a Health Ministry report, a wide-spreading pandemic wave is unlikely during summer but a new pandemic wave about the same size as last year's winter wave is more likely to start in the early autumn and peak in mid-autumn.

The final death count from the virus last year is not yet confirmed but the report says total deaths are expected to be fewer than 50.

However, there is uncertainty around what it will be this year, it says.

"Unless the virus changes, the pandemic disease will probably be of much the same severity and impact as during the 2009 winter wave," the report says.

Even if antiviral resistance develops and starts to spread in New Zealand, Tamiflu and Relenza are likely to remain effective for most people with pandemic H1N1 during 2010, it says.

- © Fairfax NZ News