Seasonal Vaccine Offers Some Protection
Against Swine Flu
08 Oct
2009
The 2008-2009
seasonal flu vaccine1 provides some protection against swine flu,
particularly the most severe forms of the disease, according to preliminary
research published today on BMJ.com.
However, the authors emphasise that the results
should be considered cautiously "and in no way indicate that seasonal
vaccine should replace vaccination against pandemic influenza A/H1N1
2009."
In June 2009, the emergence of this new flu virus led the World Health Organisation to raise the level of influenza pandemic
alert from phase three to phase six. By July 2009,
122 countries reported almost 100,000 confirmed cases of swine flu.
This study, led by Dr Jose Luis Valdespino from Mexico, investigated the link between the
2008-9 seasonal flu vaccine with cases of
influenza A/H1N1 during the epidemic in a speciality
hospital in Mexico City.
The authors say the reason the seasonal vaccine offers some protection is
because it boosts existing antibodies in individuals who have previously
been exposed to a similar flu virus, either by infection or vaccination.
Valdespino and colleagues compared the health
outcomes (hospitalisation, mechanical ventilation
and death) of 60 patients with swine flu and 180 control patients with
other diseases. Both groups of patients informed the authors directly, by
telephone or via a close relative whether they had received the 2008-9
seasonal flu vaccine.
The results show that the uninfected participants were significantly more
likely to have received the seasonal flu vaccine and suggest that it
protected them against particularly severe forms of swine flu. However the
authors say the results must be taken in context and argue that given the
small sample size "it will be key to conduct similar studies in other
settings to confirm or refute our results."
In an accompanying editorial, Dr Menno de Jong
from the Academic Medical Centre of the University of Amsterdam
concurs with Dr Valdespino that the results do
not mean that there is no need for a specific vaccine against swine flu.
Dr de Jong also raises the issue of vaccine
production and says that vaccines may not be available in time, even in
countries that have procured sufficient quantities, so that
"vaccinated people may be protected only after the peak of the
pandemic has passed." He added that "to protect against seasonal
and pandemic strains, vaccines and vaccine production need to
improve."
Link to paper
Link to editorial
Source
British Medical Journal
Article URL:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166564.php
Main News Category: Swine Flu
Also Appears In: Immune System /
Vaccines, Flu / Cold / SARS,
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