For a few months now, we had BBC, CNN and almost every channel harping on and on about the effects of swine flu, the deaths caused by the disease and even preventive measures that you can use yourself to prevent the spread of the disease. But the news about disease and its potential spread is not good. This fall, the WHO predicts a potential explosion of the disease worldwide due to the cooler weather that is prevalent during the time. Unless scientists come up with a vaccine in the next few months we are going to have a tough time dealing with the effects of the disease.



A vaccine is imminent?

The need of the moment is to find an influenza vaccine that can treat the current form of the flu virus. Global vaccine experts are working full time to find something that can work against different forms of the virus and seriously limit the side effects of the virus at the same time. The WHO has been pressured into taking an active interest in the working of vaccine manufacturers to produce a viable vaccine. At present, most of the flu viruses are supplied by European manufacturers and they might not be able to keep up with the demand for a newly manufactured vaccine from the US and the rest of the world. Tentative release dates have been established for a swine flu test vaccine at the end of November for the actual release of the virus.

On the negative side: But wary researchers from all over the world have expressed concern about the marketing and supply of the vaccine. Vaccine distribution requires that the ampoule of vaccine medication should be under continuous cold temperatures. Vaccine companies will need to provide cold storage trucks to keep the vaccine viable over the long distances till will have to travel. Apart from the logistical problems, there are serious doubts about the efficacy of the virus and any other potential side effects. The internet has been ringing with whispers about the super fast release of the vaccine without sufficient human testing to meet the demands of the public. There could be potential side effects which might become visible after a few years in children and young adults that can be life threatening. There is no research to prove it as long term studies have yet to be established. But parents are seriously worried about the potential side effects of the disease like thiomerosal that is used as a preservative in the vaccine and the denatured virus itself that forms the basis of the vaccine.

On the plus side: The NIH and the WHO have collaborated to produce the vaccine for human use and the CDC has advocated the use of the vaccine in children from 6 months to about five years of age. Researchers have assured parents that the nasal version of the vaccine that is now in use is completely safe but it still cannot be used in patients with a weak immune system, asthma, diabetes and other chronic conditions.

I would prefer to wait and watch.