Dr. Walter B. Koppel, Medical Director
MEDEX Assistance Corporation, United States
Dr. Charlie Easmon, Medical Director
Number One Health, United Kingdom
With potential for a flu pandemic to occur within the next decade, a little planning now could save your life. In the New England Journal of Medicine, John F. Brundage examines relations between historical influenza pandemics and the related deaths caused by secondary bacterial infections (?Interactions Between Influenza and Bacterial Respiratory Pathogens?, May 2006). His review suggests that since many influenza related deaths are caused by pneumonia, meningitis, and Haemophilus, vaccinations against these diseases could prove beneficial in the event of a pandemic.
With a few vaccinations, you can limit your exposure to these diseases. If a pandemic should occur, such preparations could make a difference. It is precisely this thinking that has led pandemic researchers to now focus on ways of reducing the risk of influenza-bacterial interactions. Physicians around the globe have begun to carefully consider the following vaccinations as countermeasures against a potential pandemic.
Pneumococcal vaccine
The pneumococcal vaccine costs about $50 and is routine for people over the age of 65, people who are HIV-positive, and anyone else who is immunosuppressed. Regardless, healthy adults may be able to benefit from this vaccination, especially if you are traveling to a location in which a local flu pandemic is likely to occur.
Meningitis and Haemophilus vaccines
All adults can benefit from the meningitis (ACWY) vaccine and the Haemophilus (HIB) vaccine. Routine for British citizens, the necessity of these immunizations is debated among U.S. physicians. However, receiving these vaccinations during a WHO pre-pandemic phase means that you will have less to worry about should a pandemic occur. While the meningitis vaccine needs to be boosted every three years, the pneumococcal and the HIB vaccines are one-dose vaccinations.
If you plan on traveling to an area that has a higher risk for influenza, you may wish to consider these vaccines and discuss them with your physician. Health care workers may also wish to inoculate themselves against these diseases. The benefits of receiving them far outweigh the risks, and they could save your life in the event of a flu pandemic.
http://www.medexassist.com/pandemic/expert_commentary.html
MEDEX Assistance Corporation, United States
Dr. Charlie Easmon, Medical Director
Number One Health, United Kingdom
With potential for a flu pandemic to occur within the next decade, a little planning now could save your life. In the New England Journal of Medicine, John F. Brundage examines relations between historical influenza pandemics and the related deaths caused by secondary bacterial infections (?Interactions Between Influenza and Bacterial Respiratory Pathogens?, May 2006). His review suggests that since many influenza related deaths are caused by pneumonia, meningitis, and Haemophilus, vaccinations against these diseases could prove beneficial in the event of a pandemic.
With a few vaccinations, you can limit your exposure to these diseases. If a pandemic should occur, such preparations could make a difference. It is precisely this thinking that has led pandemic researchers to now focus on ways of reducing the risk of influenza-bacterial interactions. Physicians around the globe have begun to carefully consider the following vaccinations as countermeasures against a potential pandemic.
Pneumococcal vaccine
The pneumococcal vaccine costs about $50 and is routine for people over the age of 65, people who are HIV-positive, and anyone else who is immunosuppressed. Regardless, healthy adults may be able to benefit from this vaccination, especially if you are traveling to a location in which a local flu pandemic is likely to occur.
Meningitis and Haemophilus vaccines
All adults can benefit from the meningitis (ACWY) vaccine and the Haemophilus (HIB) vaccine. Routine for British citizens, the necessity of these immunizations is debated among U.S. physicians. However, receiving these vaccinations during a WHO pre-pandemic phase means that you will have less to worry about should a pandemic occur. While the meningitis vaccine needs to be boosted every three years, the pneumococcal and the HIB vaccines are one-dose vaccinations.
If you plan on traveling to an area that has a higher risk for influenza, you may wish to consider these vaccines and discuss them with your physician. Health care workers may also wish to inoculate themselves against these diseases. The benefits of receiving them far outweigh the risks, and they could save your life in the event of a flu pandemic.
http://www.medexassist.com/pandemic/expert_commentary.html