Scarce flu vaccine not designed for new strain

[RebelYell]

Scarce flu vaccine not designed for new strain
New Zealand variety worries officials
Sabin Russell, Chronicle Medical Writer

Sunday, October 24, 2004

As Americans scramble for scarce doses of flu vaccine in hopes of warding off the respiratory bug this winter, the wily influenza virus may have other plans.

Through a natural process known as antigenic drift, a new strain of influenza that can diminish the effectiveness of today's vaccine is already emerging on the far side of the world.

~~~~~~~~

Like weather forecasters watching tropical storms, epidemiologists for the World Health Organization track the ever-evolving strains of influenza. The predominant flu virus around the globe right now is one called A/Fujian, and the vaccine Americans are seeking today is a perfect match for it.

But A/Wellington is gaining ground. Tests suggest that 43 percent of recent New Zealand flu cases spring from the new strain, or variants of it.

~~~~~~~~

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/10/24/FLU.TMP

[amazona]

1. ha same as last year!

Create a b**tload of hysteria, have people clamoring to pay for the useless vaccine, then quietly reveal later that it doesn't protect against the strain of flu going around anyway...

Brilliant marketing, you gotta give 'em that.

[theophilus]

2. So.......? Is this explanation supposed to make the administration's

incompetence acceptable? No way! And why can't they develop the vaccine to actually work against the strain? Is there NO way to do it? Come on pharmaceutical industry, get a clue! Why do we have to waste money and time on vaccines that don't even work? There needs to be a major solution found and quick. If the avian flu mutates and heads this way we are going to need vaccine quick! Otherwise millions could die. Is there no solution? If not we might as well just quit getting shots....

[RebelYell]

3. That's what I have done

"might as well just quit getting shots...."

[DemBones DemBones]

4. Even though this often happens -- a new strain emerges that's not

"in" that year's vaccine, I have never gotten the flu in years when I've had a flu shot. So, yes, I will gladly pay for a flu shot. This year, it looks as if I will be relying on my pneumonia shot to protect me from pneumonia if I get flu.

Lots of DUers are blase about the flu vaccine crisis. Having multiple chronic medical conditions, I don't have that luxury. I am seriously concerned about what will happen to me if I get influenza. I care about all the others in my situation, too. Many high risk people will go unvaccinated this year. It's a potential epidemic and health care catastrophe in the making.

[BayStateBoy]

5. Drug Companies Don't Want to Invest in Flu Vaccine Production

Due to comparatively low profits (relative to erectile dysfunction, arthritis, chemotherapy drugs); and because they are highly labor intensive.

The latter fact is due to rapid and frequent antigen mutability of the influenza virus. Makes for lots of advanced work in vaccine production and overhead.

Lawsuits and lawyers are essentially irrelevant. As usual Bush-Cheney are full of shit!

[WCGreen]

11. It's also the fact they if they make too many doses, they are

SOL.....

In other countries, the companies excess is purchased back by the Governmen. They actually work with the governemnt to ensure the safety and non explotation of their populations, how liberal can you get....

If they have created a scare, they just might be trying to make sure they are not stuck with a couple million unused flu shots......

[mongo]

9. I hear ya

Both my wife and I have Asthma, I have one kidney and an artificial heart valve, and am plauged by chronic infections anyway. If I got the flu, it would turn into pneumonia or bronchitis in an instant.

And of course, for all the things I could do with my life, I chose retail.

It really sucked to stand in line with hundreds of senior citizens - all staring at us - I was even called "boy" by the lady in front of me - and I'm in my 40's. But we really needed the shots. Purell can only do so much.

[DemBones DemBones]

15. No vaccine available here and I'm really mad that the Bush*

administration AGAIN ignored a warning of danger to the American people.

I'm also annoyed that so many people don't get it that this is very important to people like you and your wife and me and many others besides all the senior citizens.

It is a life and death issue for many of us.

[happynewyear]

6. well that's nice

I've got the damn flu right now. I don't know what "strain" it is! It is a strain on my body, I know that much!

I hope no one else gets it because it is NO FUN!

:kick:

[RebelYell]

7. I hope you feel better soon

I had it 6 years ago. A week off work, coughing for 6 weeks after from bronchitis. I had a flu shot that year. Last one.

[happynewyear]

8. thanks!

I'm coughing and hacking away here - no appetite whatsoever - slightly nauseous. I haven't dared go near a doctor. Why bother? I never get flu shots myself after having a brother-in-law that almost died from the Swine Flu shot he had many years ago. Scary stuff these "vaccines" or whatever they are.

I'll be ok - just resting in bed a lot and hoping that the sore throat goes away. This started up on Saturday. I hope it runs its course soon needless to say!

baldearg

:kick:

[Bridget Burke]

12. Unless you get a diagnosis, you can't be sure it's flu.

The sore throat, especially, makes it sound more like a bad cold.

[WCGreen]

10. Thank god I have anto Virus Software........

nt

[Bridget Burke]

13. Actually reading the whole article....

reveals that this new strain is still mostly found in New Zealand, where it originated. Even there, over half the cases are the "older" strain.

And the existing vaccine does give some protection against the new strain.

But, who bothers to actually read all that boring stuff?

[RebelYell]

14. All it takes is one infected person on a plane,

and viola!

[Mizmoon]

16. This is why the flu shot is silly

It works for ONE STRAIN - and it's never the strain that's going around.

And no, this doesn't absolve * at all.