New seasonal flu vaccine to contain H1N1 strain
National Post
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Stephanie Nebehay, Reuters
GENEVA (Reuters) – This year’s seasonal flu vaccine in the northern hemisphere should include protection against three strains, including the pandemic H1N1 virus, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended on Thursday.
The composition, announced after a four-day meeting of experts, means H1N1 swine flu vaccine still held by drugmakers in bulk form may be used for part of the seasonal flu vaccine mix for autumn/winter 2010/2011, WHO’s flu expert Keiji Fukuda said.
Some countries, including Germany, France and the United States, cut back their orders of the H1N1 flu jab after people were slow to take them up. The fact that people needed only one dose, not two, also contributed to oversupply.
“The inclusion of the H1N1 pandemic virus in the influenza vaccine does not signal that the pandemic is over,” Fukuda told reporters. “This virus is expected to be a significant threat to people as we go into the fall and winter period.”
Young people, especially those with chronic medical conditions, and pregnant women continue to be at higher risk of infection and viral pneumonia from the H1N1 virus, he said.
