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Source: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/132733
Poll: Most Docs Believe H1N1 Vaccine Unnecessary
by Hana Levi Julian
Follow Israel news on Twitter and Facebook.
(IsraelNN.com) A new poll has found that most Israeli doctors believe a new H1N1 vaccine is not necessary ? yet.
The poll, conducted by the Medical Media research firm among 145 family physicians, found that 67 percent of the doctors believe there is no immediate need, if at all, for such a vaccine.
"We are convinced that the opinion of the family physicians is the most significant in determining the allocation of resources for emergency swine flu vaccine," said Yoel Simos, CEO of Medical Media.
Thirty-nine percent of those polled said they believed resources directed toward the H1N1 vaccine should be used for other medical needs.
But 27 percent of family physicians agreed with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who has already ordered enough doses of the vaccine under development to cover every citizen in the state, at a cost of some NIS 450 million.
Another 28 percent said the issue is not relevant at present, noting that the vaccine is still under development. They recommended that the decision be put off for at least two months, until further testing can be conducted and the efficacy and risks of the vaccine clarified.
Only 6 percent of the respondents said they felt there was no reason whatsoever to consider purchasing the vaccine.
'No Visitors, Please'
Various institutions in Israel and abroad are taking various measures in ongoing attempts to try to limit, if not contain the reach of the global pandemic which has taken at least two lives in Israel thus far.
HaEmek Medical Center is hoping the public will take seriously its request to limit ? if not altogether desist from visits to patients hospitalized in its facility.
Dr. Orna Bludenheim, director of the Afula-based hospital said Tuesday the move was intended to prevent the spread of the H1N1 swine flu virus. "When healthy people come into contact with our patients, there is a danger of spreading the sickness ? as well as spreading illness to another circle of people," Bludenheim explained.
"Although bikur cholim (visiting the sick) is seen by many religions as a good deed, one should consider the fact that for many members of the population, such as babies and children, as well as those who suffer from chronic conditions, it is not a good idea." Under those circumstances, she added, "Visiting a hospitalized relative could cause the unnecessary spread of illness instead."
As with many medical institutions both in Israel and abroad, notices urging the public to wash hands regularly have been posted all around the hospital.
In the Faculty Practice building at New York's Mt. Sinai Medical Center, a stylish-looking stand strategically placed before one reaches the elevators ? or even the offices on the ground floor -- dispenses anti-bacterial hand gel to passersby. A sign above the stand cheerily reminds visitors to clean their hands as they enter the building.
On Cathay Pacific Airlines, the female flight attendants were wearing face masks during a recent flight from Australia to Hong Kong, according to Sarah P., a new immigrant who made her aliyah connection to an El Al flight in the southeast Asian city. "It's weird," she told Israel National News with a smile. "The male flight attendants weren't wearing them. I guess they thought it might look funny."
Poll: Most Docs Believe H1N1 Vaccine Unnecessary
by Hana Levi Julian
Follow Israel news on Twitter and Facebook.
(IsraelNN.com) A new poll has found that most Israeli doctors believe a new H1N1 vaccine is not necessary ? yet.
The poll, conducted by the Medical Media research firm among 145 family physicians, found that 67 percent of the doctors believe there is no immediate need, if at all, for such a vaccine.
"We are convinced that the opinion of the family physicians is the most significant in determining the allocation of resources for emergency swine flu vaccine," said Yoel Simos, CEO of Medical Media.
Thirty-nine percent of those polled said they believed resources directed toward the H1N1 vaccine should be used for other medical needs.
But 27 percent of family physicians agreed with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who has already ordered enough doses of the vaccine under development to cover every citizen in the state, at a cost of some NIS 450 million.
Another 28 percent said the issue is not relevant at present, noting that the vaccine is still under development. They recommended that the decision be put off for at least two months, until further testing can be conducted and the efficacy and risks of the vaccine clarified.
Only 6 percent of the respondents said they felt there was no reason whatsoever to consider purchasing the vaccine.
'No Visitors, Please'
Various institutions in Israel and abroad are taking various measures in ongoing attempts to try to limit, if not contain the reach of the global pandemic which has taken at least two lives in Israel thus far.
HaEmek Medical Center is hoping the public will take seriously its request to limit ? if not altogether desist from visits to patients hospitalized in its facility.
Dr. Orna Bludenheim, director of the Afula-based hospital said Tuesday the move was intended to prevent the spread of the H1N1 swine flu virus. "When healthy people come into contact with our patients, there is a danger of spreading the sickness ? as well as spreading illness to another circle of people," Bludenheim explained.
"Although bikur cholim (visiting the sick) is seen by many religions as a good deed, one should consider the fact that for many members of the population, such as babies and children, as well as those who suffer from chronic conditions, it is not a good idea." Under those circumstances, she added, "Visiting a hospitalized relative could cause the unnecessary spread of illness instead."
As with many medical institutions both in Israel and abroad, notices urging the public to wash hands regularly have been posted all around the hospital.
In the Faculty Practice building at New York's Mt. Sinai Medical Center, a stylish-looking stand strategically placed before one reaches the elevators ? or even the offices on the ground floor -- dispenses anti-bacterial hand gel to passersby. A sign above the stand cheerily reminds visitors to clean their hands as they enter the building.
On Cathay Pacific Airlines, the female flight attendants were wearing face masks during a recent flight from Australia to Hong Kong, according to Sarah P., a new immigrant who made her aliyah connection to an El Al flight in the southeast Asian city. "It's weird," she told Israel National News with a smile. "The male flight attendants weren't wearing them. I guess they thought it might look funny."