flu shots

[Saan]

'More Australians have been diagnosed with the flu in the first five months of 2015 than in any previous year.However while the government’s Australian Influenza Surveillance Report shows case numbers between January and May have reached their highest levels since records began in 2001.

The Australian flu season is considered to be between June and October.

Meanwhile, a one-shot flu jab for life may be on the way after a scientific breakthrough made by an Australian-led research team.

The scientists have discovered how flu-killing cells memorise strains of influenza and destroy them.

The teams from the University of Melbourne and Shanghai’s Fudan University worked together during the first outbreak of avian flu in China in 2013.

University of Melbourne’s associate professor Katherine Kedzierska says 99 per cent of people with the H7N9 virus were hospitalised, while 30 per cent died.'

“After collecting samples from infected patients, we found that people who couldn’t make these T-cell flu assassins were dying,” she said.

“These findings lead to the potential of moving from vaccines for specific influenza strains toward developing a protection which is based on T-cells.”

It also could lead to a one-off universal flu vaccine shot, Prof Kedzierska said.

[Saan]

Many deaths are linked to flue, an influenza expert has warned.

Australians have six weeks at the most to get a flu shot before cases start to rise on the back of a particularly bad winter, he has warned.

There had been a delay in availability of the influenza vaccine because of a change to the formula.

Influenza Specialist Group chairman Alan Hampson said it took time to get all the strains into the flu vaccine.

“You have to select the vaccine strains, which was done back in September, then you’ve got to work them up so that they can grow, then manufacturers have got to work them into production which is not easy, and this year it’s taken a bit longer than usual,” Dr Hampson said.

Dr Hampson said many doctors’ surgeries already have supplies of the vaccine and he urged people to make an appointment to get the jab, saying many people underestimate the threat of influenza.

“It does nasty things to your body,” he said.

“The inflammatory response that happens when you have influenza can do all sort of bad things.

“It can precipitate heart attacks, strokes and things of that nature, so if you’re going to be prone to any nasty affects and have underlying risk conditions then you are at risk of getting a nasty infection.”

He said the flu was indirectly linked to a number of deaths each year.

“You don’t necessarily put them [deaths] down to influenza because they occur after the event, but it can be precipitated by influenza and people just don’t realise that,” Dr Hampsom said.

[arunsakda]

It does not take long for the anti-vaccination alarmists to appear with the typical

quackery and charlantanism does it?

[suzannegoh]

'More Australians have been diagnosed with the flu in the first five months of 2015 than in any previous year.However while the government’s Australian Influenza Surveillance Report shows case numbers between January and May have reached their highest levels since records began in 2001.

The Australian flu season is considered to be between June and October.

Meanwhile, a one-shot flu jab for life may be on the way after a scientific breakthrough made by an Australian-led research team.

The scientists have discovered how flu-killing cells memorise strains of influenza and destroy them.

The teams from the University of Melbourne and Shanghai’s Fudan University worked together during the first outbreak of avian flu in China in 2013.

University of Melbourne’s associate professor Katherine Kedzierska says 99 per cent of people with the H7N9 virus were hospitalised, while 30 per cent died.'

“After collecting samples from infected patients, we found that people who couldn’t make these T-cell flu assassins were dying,” she said.

“These findings lead to the potential of moving from vaccines for specific influenza strains toward developing a protection which is based on T-cells.”

It also could lead to a one-off universal flu vaccine shot, Prof Kedzierska said.

Do you know of a source for similar stats about cases of the flu in Thailand?

[amexpat]

This will clear a few points up.

As for Doctors being 'all for them', you do know they recieve payment for 'flu shots. (in the uk)

Don't they get paid a lot more for treating people who are very ill with the flu?

So the plot must be thicker than it seems.

[Saan]

'More Australians have been diagnosed with the flu in the first five months of 2015 than in any previous year.However while the government’s Australian Influenza Surveillance Report shows case numbers between January and May have reached their highest levels since records began in 2001.

The Australian flu season is considered to be between June and October.

Meanwhile, a one-shot flu jab for life may be on the way after a scientific breakthrough made by an Australian-led research team.

The scientists have discovered how flu-killing cells memorise strains of influenza and destroy them.

The teams from the University of Melbourne and Shanghai’s Fudan University worked together during the first outbreak of avian flu in China in 2013.

University of Melbourne’s associate professor Katherine Kedzierska says 99 per cent of people with the H7N9 virus were hospitalised, while 30 per cent died.'

“After collecting samples from infected patients, we found that people who couldn’t make these T-cell flu assassins were dying,” she said.

“These findings lead to the potential of moving from vaccines for specific influenza strains toward developing a protection which is based on T-cells.”

It also could lead to a one-off universal flu vaccine shot, Prof Kedzierska said.

Do you know of a source for similar stats about cases of the flu in Thailand?

I am sorry I don't have any stats for Thailand but I imagine the problem is universal.

[CNXBKKMAN]

This will clear a few points up.

As for Doctors being 'all for them', you do know they recieve payment for 'flu shots. (in the uk)

Don't they get paid a lot more for treating people who are very ill with the flu?

So the plot must be thicker than it seems.

I doubt they get paid more to treat people who are sick with the flu but they defintately are incentivised to push certain drugs and treatments. You may be better served with drug A ,no drug at all, something cheap from the chemist, or drug B which may cost more but the doctor will hit his bonus level and thats his holiday in the Maldives sorted. Some doctors are mad keen for these financial rewards others are more ethical and put the patient first.

[bangmai]

I vote "no." However, it would be something to think about for the elderly and those whom it would be much more serious. I've read quite a few of the reports from CDC. There is a lot of speculation in deciding what strains to vaccinate for. I didn't get it, when I drove a school bus, and there aren't many places where you would come into contact with it, than that. I was paid for every minute of my sick leave, when I left, because I never used it. I've seen many still get the flu, after getting the shot. As stated, it is a cash cow for the drugstores and the clinics, and when it's an easy re-reimbursement from Medicare; it is automatic. I don't even believe you need to be an RN to administer the shot.

[faraday]

Do you know of a source for similar stats about cases of the flu in Thailand?

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4353321/

Conclusion

Influenza vaccination coverage among young children in Thailand was low, although vaccination was moderately effective. Continued efforts are needed to increase influenza vaccination coverage and evaluate VE among young children in Thailand.

There's this also.

http://www.asianscientist.com/2015/06/health/vaccinating-kids-influenza-beneficial-thailand/

And this, which seems to suggest only a 50% efficacy - haven't read all of it though.

http://www.who.int/influenza_vaccines_plan/resources/Session8_evidence_policy_Rochana_Wutthanarungsan.pdf

[NancyL]

I vote "no." However, it would be something to think about for the elderly and those whom it would be much more serious. I've read quite a few of the reports from CDC. There is a lot of speculation in deciding what strains to vaccinate for. I didn't get it, when I drove a school bus, and there aren't many places where you would come into contact with it, than that. I was paid for every minute of my sick leave, when I left, because I never used it. I've seen many still get the flu, after getting the shot. As stated, it is a cash cow for the drugstores and the clinics, and when it's an easy re-reimbursement from Medicare; it is automatic. I don't even believe you need to be an RN to administer the shot.

In many areas, people who are in contact with "at risk" populations, like school children (i.e. bus drivers) have to get flu shots. I know where we came from even the school cafeteria ladies had to get them. As a parent, I don't think I'd be too happy knowing my child was in contact with a school bus driver who hadn't been immunized.

Edited June 9, 2015 by NancyL

[bangmai]

I've seen it be required at some medical facilities; never at a school. Proof of immunizations are required for the same ones the students are required to have, It's not a visa requirement for any country, either.

Many in the medical field are against it....http://healthimpactnews.com/tag/mandatory-flu-shot/

Edited June 9, 2015 by bangmai

[Tywais]

Post commenting on spelling and an off topic remark removed.

[onthedarkside]

Post commenting on spelling and an off topic remark removed.

And to add ... posts non Thai related are also being removed. Please do try to keep this topic CM related, thank you.

[bangmai]

Fair enough...could anyone show us a public school in CM that requires staff or students to get flu shots? Can anyone post a link to a health plan provider in Thailand, that requires its clients to get a flu shot?

[northernjohn]

I am not a doctor or a believer in self medication based on the internet. so I listen to my doctor. she has never tried to push them on me. There was a sign in her office that they were available but she never said any thing. I think the sign is gone now.

That being said I had heard from other people that part of taking the shot was a slight flu like reaction to get it started. I don't know. But if that is the case I would wonder how many of the it didn't work cases were just a mild reaction. Out of my field and I know if I search the internet I can find any thing I want to believe.

Any one else hear that rumor.

[bangmai]

I think it is considered a "dead virus," but people still can have serious adverse reactions to it. DO the flight attendants get them? doubtful....I would actually be more concerned about getting Legionella from a hotel a/c...remember the scary reults from the random tests they did in CNX a few years back. It's one of those things people bring with them. Travel sick or pay 500 usd to change your ticket? Most will travel sick. http://www.cdc.gov/legionella/about/

[onthedarkside]

Post commenting on spelling and an off topic remark removed.

And to add ... posts non Thai related are also being removed. Please do try to keep this topic CM related, thank you.

Sigh sigh - even more not Thailand or CM related posts removed.