Swine Flu is going to be conquered much faster than has been estimated till now, thanks to a single dose vaccine that has proved successful in clinical trials in Australia.
As per the New York Times, it will be possible to vaccinate all 159 million Americans in the high-risk group with the new H1N1 vaccine before the flu's expected mid-winter peak. Trials have shown that adults who got a dose were protected within 8 to 10 days. This quick, robust protection means lives will be saved.
The pandemic has affected 168 countries, including India where 131 of the 4738 affected have already died.
While the US has already entered into a contract with the vaccine maker, CSL Limited, to supply millions of doses, India is still sitting on the sidelines.
Time to act, Health Minister Azad.
Crossing the desert
2 weeks ago
2 comments:
Any decision that the Indian government takes is probably delayed because of all the red tape. And maybe the government feels that they can always place orders with the domestic drug companies later- why commit beforehand?
The article says that there is "the dire possibility of the H1N1 virus mutating." Wonder if the vaccine presently being developed will be effective in such a scenario?
It is red tape, Manju. An Indian vaccine is not due before next year. The government would/should have known about the trials of this Australian vaccine and should have placed orders in time like the US has done. I don't know how many lives will be lost due to this delay.
Read the NYT article. The TOI article talks of the possibility of mutation. That does not mean you do nothing till it happens!
Post a Comment