Two more high-risk groups to get flu vaccine |24 June 2010

Vaccination has already started for frontline health workers, and these further two at-risk groups are being vaccinated against the flu – commonly known as “swine flu” – after 9,000 doses of the vaccine arrived in Seychelles from the World Health Organisation (WHO).

In a press release, the Ministry of Health and Social Development said pandemic influenza (H1N1) is a new type of flu caused by a new virus that most people will not have immunity against.

The virus is spread from person to person and is transmitted as easily as the normal seasonal flu. It can be passed to other people through infected droplets expelled by coughing or sneezing that can be inhaled or can contaminate hands or surfaces. There are no known cases of people becoming infected by exposure to pigs or other animals.

Most people who contract influenza A(H1N1) will recover without needing any medical attention. Some will not even have symptoms. But in some cases the disease can have serious effects, even leading to death, and it is important for people to take steps to avoid catching it.

The ministry stressed that to prevent spread, people who are ill should cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, stay at home when they are unwell, wash their hands regularly and keep some distance from healthy people as much as possible.

Another way to protect people from the flu is for them to be vaccinated.

Based on recommendations from the WHO, the ministry is targeting healthcare workers, pregnant women and people with chronic diseases as the first group to receive the vaccine. This is to protect these people from infection and to ensure the healthcare system is able to continue to function and provide care during a pandemic.

The safety profile of the vaccine is, as far as is known today, similar to that for other vaccines. While there may be occasional side-effects from the vaccine, the great majority of these are mild and temporary in nature. On the other hand, once vaccinated, people will continue to be protected against this strain of influenza, which has already shown its ability to kill otherwise-healthy people around the world.

The WHO has been coordinating the distribution of pandemic vaccine donated by several countries and vaccine manufacturers.

Although the vaccine is an excellent tool to protect against the pandemic, there will not be enough supply to cover the entire population. The WHO is working to get enough so that all countries can vaccinate 10% of their population; this should be enough vaccine to cover the most vulnerable groups.

The ministry is encouraging people to stay informed about and prepared for the illness. People can protect themselves and others from being infected by using the cough etiquette – covering the mouth when coughing, coughing into a sleeve when possible, washing hands if one has coughed/sneezed into them, and trying to avoid touching the eyes or nose when hands are not clean. Stay at home away from work or school if you are feeling ill.

More information on the vaccine and pandemic flu can be had by contacting the following focal people at the Ministry of Health on 388000: Dr. Jude Gedeon, public health commissioner; Dr Shobha Hajarnis, director general public health; Dr Jastin Bibi, director epidemiology, statistics and surveillance; Florida Bijoux, programme coordinator for expanded programme of immunisation.