Health Professionals To Get “unstoppable” Swine Flu Vaccine First

[george]

Hi-So Thais to get “unstoppable” swine flu vaccine first

By John Le Fevre

BANGKOK (thaivisa.com): -- Thailand’s top corporate executives are amongst those who have been singled out to receive the first doses of imported pandemic A(H1N1) vaccine when supplies become available.

Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) director Dr Vithit Attavejchakul said when the first two million doses arrive they will be dispensed to three groups: physicians, nurses and other health personnel; people with chronic and congenital diseases; and the country's top executives.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva confirmed that the first pandemic A(H1N1), originally termed swine flu, vaccine will be dispensed on this basis on Thursday, saying, “the government cannot order adequate doses for everyone in the country yet as there are many people in the high-risk group."

According to Dr Vithit, one of the conditions attached to the use of the vaccines is that the producers will not be responsible for any side effects, and all countries must accept this.

The announcement coincided with a statement by the World Health Organization (WHO) that pandemic A(H1N1) was the fastest-moving pandemic ever and that it was now pointless to count every case.

According to the WHO, "the 2009 influenza pandemic has spread internationally with unprecedented speed. In past pandemics, influenza viruses have needed more than six months to spread as widely as the new A(H1N1) virus has spread in less than six weeks."

Flu experts say at least a million people are infected in the United States alone, and the WHO says the pandemic is unstoppable.

Meanwhile, GPO chairman Dr Vichai Chokewiwat, dismissed concerns that a local nasal-spray vaccine currently being produced by the state-run drug manufacturer could be ineffective or unsafe due to its rushed production and limited testing.

Former public health minister Suchai Charoenratanakul, citing a 1976 US case where 33 people died after being injected with a low-quality vaccine, yesterday urged the government to make sure the vaccine was safe before releasing it to the public.

However, Dr Vichai sought to alleviate any fears, saying the nasal-spray vaccine would meet global standards and be produced under the close supervision of the WHO.

According to Dr Vichai, the WHO-sponsored production of the vaccine will begin next month at a pilot plant in Silpakorn University's pharmaceutical faculty in Nakhon Pathom, after the GPO's receipt of the seed virus and 350 eggs from Germany to grow the vaccine.

Dr Vichai said, "the safety standard of the vaccine is our ultimate concern. We can't introduce it to the public without a satisfying result from a clinical trial on humans."

The vaccine development team plans to conduct trials on 430 volunteers of different age groups, with the tests expected to take 120-days and be closely supervised by the Public Health Ministry's Ethical Review Committee for Research in Human Subjects.

The newly made vaccine will also be submitted to the Food and Drugs Administration for approval before being introduced to the public.

"If things go as planned, we will have the Thai-made spray vaccine by the end of this year," he said.

Dr Vichai said Thailand will sell 10 percent of the total production of 10 million doses to the WHO at a low price, while about five million people will receive the vaccine for free.

However, GPO managing director Dr Witit Artavatkun, said the spray-type vaccine will not be suitable for people with certain ailments such as flu, emphysema, asthma, respiratory problems, HIV/Aids, or those who are allergic to chicken eggs.

For those not falling into the three priority groups, or willing to wait until the end of the year, the Commerce Ministry has asked manufacturers of face masks and alcohol-based hand gels to quickly increase production and reduce their exports to ensure adequate supplies.

Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai said, "face masks and alcohol-based hand gel products have been put on the ministry's price-control product list to keep their prices at the appropriate level."

She also said that face masks and anti-bacterial hand gels will also be sold at 20 to 40 percent discount at Blue Flag markets nationwide.

Ms Porntiva said that if sellers were found to raise prices unrealistically, or intentionally hoard them, they could face a jail term of up to seven-years and a fine of Bt140,000 (about $US4,100).

In its Thursday statement, the WHO said it will no longer issue global tables showing the numbers of confirmed cases for all countries – which stood at 94,512 cases with 429 deaths as of its last update on July 6.

On its website the WHO says, ‘seasonal influenza in the USA is currently estimated to be 25–50 million cases per year, leading to 150,000 hospitalizations and 30,000–40,000 deaths.

‘If these figures are extrapolated to the rest of the world, the average global burden of inter-pandemic influenza may be on the order of ~1 billion cases of flu, ~3–5 million cases of severe illness and 300,000–500,000 deaths annually’.

-- thaivisa.com 2009-07-17

[animatic]

Slight semantic change.

What I saw yesterday indicated the countries exectutive leadership,

read; cabinet, ministry personnel, and people who must keep the country functioning

were that third group, not corporate puyais as this article implies.

Personally I would NOT want to be in the early group of recipients,

better to get the bug and build anti bodies. But avoiding it totally is best.

[hammered]

Those withj money anywhewre in the world get things first. That is the way the capitalist world works. In this case though it is nice to know the side effects will become apparent on our betters before we are to be participate in the world's biggest drug test.

[Heng]

Yeah for my family, I think we'll pass and just build our own anti-bodies during a nice hospital stay holiday if necessary. And for light cases, nothing more comfortable than being sick at home It's just the flu. A good idea though if you are uninsured or have other health issues.

[Scott]

Sad, but typical. It's not that they have priorities, it's that they think it's OK to announce whose at the top of the food chain.

When it's finally made available to the public, they will probably distribute it based on skin tone.

[Heng]

It's better not to announce it but to go ahead and do it anyway, just like everywhere else.

(unless you really think that the captains of industry in any country have to go down to the local free clinic to get their doses)

[virtualtraveller]

Bit of a misleading headline!

Nowhere in the article does it suggest that the Hi-So get first dips, the vaccine is a govt initiative which means they should make it exclusively for hospitals to dispense to risk groups first, though this won't stop the hi-so getting their hands on it first. It's economics really, those who can afford it will pay somehow for first vaccines, but we do finance the 20 baht health scheme so that's our priviledge.

Still, they're talking 3-6 months in the UK before a vaccine is ready, who knows how the virus might have mutated by then. Here in Thailand, it seems to me the vaccine is being rushed, so I'd rather wait.

the other thing is, this is a news story, not a crisis. It's a crisis for containment but so far the death rate is not critical. I mean, how many people die a year from regular flu, this one has killed about 5000 since it broke three months ago, if a 100,000 people worldwide died by the time this flu has faded it would still be less than the annual deaths from cancer, starvation etc. It's good to be prudent but seems to me the best thing you can do is get the treatment (tamiflu) as soon as you display any symptoms of a fever thus minimising the fatality risk.

Also, it's not been made clear whether you build an indefinite resistance once you've caught this flu, in which case it might be better to deliberately get infected now before winter drains your immune system, and take the medicine and use the hospitals before they get overwhelmed and under stocked.

[Jingthing]

OK, I have a question.

If you are an expat here living on a non-immigrant visa and you have one the medical conditions normally putting you at the top of the queue to get the vaccine (such as asthma/diabetes) are you included on this priority or not?

[imjustagirl]

I'll take my chances and avoid the untested vaccine (created by the people who 'unwittingly' released a vaccine contaminated with the bird flu) thank you very much. Good luck to them - they will probably need it!

And here was me thinking that new strains of the flu needed 6-9 months to develop a vaccine - silly me, they have obviously found a way to genetically manipulate the growth rate of viral cultures to create vaccines - hmm now that is a reassuring thought.

'one of the conditions attached to the use of the vaccines is that the producers will not be responsible for any side effects' YIKES YIKES YIKES!!!!!!

Edited July 17, 2009 by imjustagirl

[slimdog]

OK, I have a question.

If you are an expat here living on a non-immigrant visa and you have one the medical conditions normally putting you at the top of the queue to get the vaccine (such as asthma/diabetes) are you included on this priority or not?

It appears that for this spray type vaccine, any form of respiratory ailment, even temporary, it is unsuitable, regardless of whether you are a Thai national or foreigner.

However, GPO managing director Dr Witit Artavatkun, said the spray-type vaccine will not be suitable for people with certain ailments such as flu, emphysema, asthma, respiratory problems, HIV/Aids, or those who are allergic to chicken eggs

[Jingthing]

'one of the conditions attached to the use of the vaccines is that the producers will not be responsible for any side effects' YIKES YIKES YIKES!!!!!!

Yes, if that wasn't the case no business would be interested in doing the vaccine. Of course it is AYOR, and a free choice to take it or not, IF you can get it.

[Pakboong]

Sort of makes medical sense, they are the most likely to avoid natural sunlight which would provide them the protection provided by the much needed vitamin D.

[webfact]

'one of the conditions attached to the use of the vaccines is that the producers will not be responsible for any side effects' YIKES YIKES YIKES!!!!!!

Yes, if that wasn't the case no business would be interested in doing the vaccine. Of course it is AYOR, and a free choice to take it or not, IF you can get it.

Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) guarantees that the new typeA (H1N1) vaccine will work and that anybody suffering an adverse reaction to the vaccine will get Bt200,000 in compensation from the National Health Security Office (NHSO).

Heres THE NATION article GPO to make flu vaccine

Edited July 17, 2009 by webfact

[grantbkk]

No one can be surprised that MP's and ministers ( and their families) would be given the vaccine first. This is Thailand! The good news is that rather than rush to test the vaccine they are going to give it to these "special needs" people who will act as our crash test dummies. Only the very intelligent in the lot will pass on a free vaccine shot or spray up the nose. The ones who do refuse should be tapped for additional government service no matter what government comes to poser later this year.

The government's logic is of course the fact that we need these VIP's to conduct the business of government. How could Thailand get by if several of the top officials and ministers got sick or died? This is truly funny stuff. I'm sure this goes on in other developing countries but it would be considered pure hubris to rub it into the noses of their fellow countrymen.

Edited July 17, 2009 by grantbkk

[Jingthing]

As far as the elite getting the vaccine first, of course it is not democratic, but I like that they are OPEN about how corrupt they are. In the long run, they may be creating their own destruction.

[Carib]

So this time the guinea pigs will be hiso..Interesting development..

[neverdie]

OK, I have a question.

If you are an expat here living on a non-immigrant visa and you have one the medical conditions normally putting you at the top of the queue to get the vaccine (such as asthma/diabetes) are you included on this priority or not?

Some people just don't get it.

FARANG in Thailand are considered SCUM, the pits of the Thai society, irregardless of how good a ATM you might be, they are only interested in your money, certainly not your health.

On a scale of 1 to 100, with 100 being top priority, FARANG rate 0.

Flame me all you like, but its true.

[krading]

The vaccine distribution area border-line will probably run through Pak Chong leaving Issan and a third of the voting population unprotected.

Talk about election rigging.

[Jingthing]

Some people just don't get it.

FARANG in Thailand are considered SCUM, the pits of the Thai society, irregardless of how good a ATM you might be, they are only interested in your money, certainly not your health.

I get it. That's why I asked. If they are excluding us in reality, as I suspect, do you think they will have to balls to announce that publicly? Consider there are Thai nationals living outside Thailand who will need this vaccine.

I do recall a report of a foreigner being told by a Thai doctor privately that if you are a foreigner you better find your own source of Tamiflu, so logically this same situation would apply to the vaccine. For supply and demand with current infection levels, Tamiflu is probably not YET a problem, but surely the DEMAND for a vaccine will always well exceed supply, so this is going to be a problem.

Edited July 17, 2009 by Jingthing

[doggie888888]

Those withj money anywhewre in the world get things first. That is the way the capitalist world works. In this case though it is nice to know the side effects will become apparent on our betters before we are to be participate in the world's biggest drug test.

Agree entirely...during SARS in HK some antivirals were used to combat the virus. Some people who were given the antivirals developed bone disease later on. It was in the press for a while then disappeared, so I am not sure if they worked out the cause/effect or indeed if steps are taken to prevent a recurrence. I am not a medico and I guess a little knowledge can be a bad thing, but I think antivirals are a mixed blessing...just look at the side effects on people living with HIV/AIDS. Unless swine flu mutates into something life threathening to me (I do not have any underlying health issues) I may not opt for the vaccine even if it was available to me. Am I wrong?

[neverdie]

Well JT, I'm glad you are on the ball. Alot of others here may not be.

You raise an important point. Can you imagine the same thing happening to a non foriegn national back in the USA or Australia. There would be massive public outcry and lawsuit on ur step faster than you can mutter the word, "RACISM".

This place is a joke, a certain nationale of people here should hang their heads in shame....I'm sure at last time I checked it was 2009, nearly 2010.

[Jingthing]

Unless swine flu mutates into something life threathening to me (I do not have any underlying health issues) I may not opt for the vaccine even if it was available to me. Am I wrong?

Nobody knows as nobody can predict the future. If you don't get the vaccine and the vaccine is a good one and then the virus mutates and then you get it and you die, then you are wrong.

Supposing it becomes clear the virus has mutated. What chances at that point you will have of getting a vaccine shot (the supply is VERY limited) and then of course I assume it doesn't have an instant protective result.

Edited July 17, 2009 by Jingthing

[meadish_sweetball]

I am sure prolific Thaivisa posters would be exempt from the general rule given our massive contribution to Thai society, so no need for us to worry. Right?

[imjustagirl]

'one of the conditions attached to the use of the vaccines is that the producers will not be responsible for any side effects' YIKES YIKES YIKES!!!!!!

Yes, if that wasn't the case no business would be interested in doing the vaccine. Of course it is AYOR, and a free choice to take it or not, IF you can get it.

but what of the WHO considering mandatory vaccines for all member countries.... so then we cannot choose to not have it - but still told not their fault if it goes wrong??? it all stinks to me. At least the possibility of mandatory is a while off yet, i hope. I know some people will be lining up for this jab and pressure others to take it, but so far the track record on new vaccines and their side effects does not impress me.

[Shah Jahan]

depending on how the wind blows, might help out the country for the best...

[webfact]

Breakingnews » Breakingnews

Poll: Swine flu scares people

Writer: BangkokPost.com

Published: 17/07/2009 at 11:17 AM

People were scared by the A(H1N1) flu virus pandemic and did not believe the Ministry of Public Health could control the outbreak, an opinion poll by Suan Dusit Poll at Rajabhat Suan Dusit University concluded on Friday.

The poll conducted on July 14-16 involved 1,194 people in Bangkok and other provinces.

story continues: http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/14...u-scared-people

-- Bangkok Post 2009/07/17

[Johpa]

Yeah for my family, I think we'll pass and just build our own anti-bodies during a nice hospital stay holiday if necessary. And for light cases, nothing more comfortable than being sick at home It's just the flu.

Yes, a young co-worker of mine here in the US went back to visit his family in Thailand this past month and caught the dreaded swine flu during the visit. He thought the symptoms were fairly ordinary and it kept him housebound for all of two days. So t'is a rare day here in TV land where I am in sync with the sentiments of Heng.

But as a lover of leftist conspiracy theories, ya gotta love the link between fear of the flu, Gilead Sciences (one of the primary companies profiting from the sale of flu vaccines) and that fear monger extraordinaire, Mr. Donald Rumsfeld.

[Swelters]

Those withj money anywhewre in the world get things first. That is the way the capitalist world works. In this case though it is nice to know the side effects will become apparent on our betters before we are to be participate in the world's biggest drug test.

Indeed, just think of the improvement in traffic conditions and air conditioning savings that would come if the vaccine proves fatal. Try to look at the bright side.

Swelters

[meadish_sweetball]

Not to mention the inevitable drop in the price of haute couture and ugly pets.

[Scott]

I hope they realize that a nasal spray vacccine will not work here. It will require removing the fingers from the nose! Don't know if that's possible.