Vaccines from previous virus against current A/H1N1 virus may not be effective

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw urges the Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai to explain to the people the effectiveness, or lack of it, of vaccines from previous virus and infuenza drugs such as Tamiflu against the current A/H1N1 virus.

Dr Tan comments on the minister's statement who, on 30.4.2009, said that his ministry would ask the Government to pay RM 23 million for the vaccines to be given to frontliners such as doctors and nurses and pigs. He has caused doubts among the public. Since flu virus can also come from birds such as poultry and wild ducks, will he vaccinate them?

Now, the World Health Organization (WHO) has raised its global alert to Phase 5, one phase away from a pandemic.

Malaysia has experience in health alert against viruses such as Nippah virus and Avian virus. Thiong Lai's news reflects the measures taken by his ministry. For example, there is the National Preparedness Plan for pandemic influenza technical committee that discusses the precautionary and preventive measures against a pandemic, for which the Government has allocated RM 10 million. Those who have symptoms such as fever and feeling unwell should seek medical advice and stay at home to prevent the spread of the virus by air.

The Government indentifies 28 hospitals to admit patients with flu symptoms. This is one of the preventive steps.

The mobility of humans in the world spreads the A/H1N1 very rapidly. Hence, there is the probability of a pandemic. Among the measures taken, vaccines prepared from previous virus may not be effective against the current one. Flu virus mutates. A new vsaccine may take three or more months to prepare. Hence, the minster would have to explain to the ordinary folks what he means by vaccinations.

Although some people may rush to buy flu drugs such as Tamiflu, these may not be efficacious. They may not be good for those who have no flu symptoms.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

posted by Tan Seng Giaw @ 11:26 PM 0 comments