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Docs caution against H1N1 virus
Risha Chitlangia, TNN, Nov 16, 2010, 04.56am IST
H1N1 NEW DELHI: With a gradual dip in temperature, doctors say chances of H1N1 influenza - declared pandemic by World Health Organisation ( WHO) last year - are high. As a precautionary measure, doctors are advising people to get vaccinated against the infection. Last year, the vaccine was available with foreign pharma companies only, but now we have four Indian pharma companies ready with the vaccine.
The infection spreads faster in a cold medium and this year, chances are that it will stage a comeback. ''The infection is spreading to newer pockets in the country. A large number of people have already got infected and developed immunity against it. But to be on the safer side, it is better that people, especially in the high-risk group, get vaccinated,'' says Dr V M Katoch, DG, Indian Council of Medical Research ( ICMR).
Doctors say that children, elderly people and those suffering from asthma, bronchitis, cardiovascular and other underlying complications must get vaccinated. ''In high-risk category patients, H1N1 vaccine is a must. These cases can develop serious complications once affected by H1N1 virus. With winter setting in, it is important to get the vaccine shot right now as it can prevent from the infection that is fast spreading,'' says Dr Sandeep Budhiraja, head of the department internal medicine, Max Healthcare.
Initially, the Indian government was skeptical about using the vaccine manufactured by foreign companies. ''Despite the panic, we didn't buy the vaccine from international manufacturers last year. Indian pharma companies had the technology to develop an indigenous vaccine and in less than a year's time we have our vaccines in the market at a much cheaper price. Our vaccine has been tested on the Indian population,'' said Dr Katoch.
Since the first H1N1 influenza case was reported in the country in May 2009, so far 45,861 have contracted the infection and 2,714 people have died in India. ''Unlike last year, people now know what H1N1 influenza is all about, how it spreads etc. Therefore, the panic is not there. Thankfully this year, there was a dip in the number of cases. But as a precautionary measures, people should get themselves vaccinated,'' said Dr Bir Singh, professor community medicine, AIIMS.
Though compared to last year there is less panic this year, the demand for the vaccine is still high. Pune-based Serum Institute of India launched its H1N1 vaccine - Nasovac (a nasal spray)- in July this year and since then it has sold 1.82 million vaccines in India. ''The demand is likely to rise in November and December. Our vaccine is safe to use in children above the age of three years," says Ahmed, director, marketing Serum Institute of India. Apart from Serum, Bharat Biotech, Cadila and Panacea, too, have developed a vaccine for H1N1.
Read more: Docs caution against H1N1 virus - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...-virus-/articleshow/6933128.cms#ixzz15Y4dS9i1
Risha Chitlangia, TNN, Nov 16, 2010, 04.56am IST
H1N1 NEW DELHI: With a gradual dip in temperature, doctors say chances of H1N1 influenza - declared pandemic by World Health Organisation ( WHO) last year - are high. As a precautionary measure, doctors are advising people to get vaccinated against the infection. Last year, the vaccine was available with foreign pharma companies only, but now we have four Indian pharma companies ready with the vaccine.
The infection spreads faster in a cold medium and this year, chances are that it will stage a comeback. ''The infection is spreading to newer pockets in the country. A large number of people have already got infected and developed immunity against it. But to be on the safer side, it is better that people, especially in the high-risk group, get vaccinated,'' says Dr V M Katoch, DG, Indian Council of Medical Research ( ICMR).
Doctors say that children, elderly people and those suffering from asthma, bronchitis, cardiovascular and other underlying complications must get vaccinated. ''In high-risk category patients, H1N1 vaccine is a must. These cases can develop serious complications once affected by H1N1 virus. With winter setting in, it is important to get the vaccine shot right now as it can prevent from the infection that is fast spreading,'' says Dr Sandeep Budhiraja, head of the department internal medicine, Max Healthcare.
Initially, the Indian government was skeptical about using the vaccine manufactured by foreign companies. ''Despite the panic, we didn't buy the vaccine from international manufacturers last year. Indian pharma companies had the technology to develop an indigenous vaccine and in less than a year's time we have our vaccines in the market at a much cheaper price. Our vaccine has been tested on the Indian population,'' said Dr Katoch.
Since the first H1N1 influenza case was reported in the country in May 2009, so far 45,861 have contracted the infection and 2,714 people have died in India. ''Unlike last year, people now know what H1N1 influenza is all about, how it spreads etc. Therefore, the panic is not there. Thankfully this year, there was a dip in the number of cases. But as a precautionary measures, people should get themselves vaccinated,'' said Dr Bir Singh, professor community medicine, AIIMS.
Though compared to last year there is less panic this year, the demand for the vaccine is still high. Pune-based Serum Institute of India launched its H1N1 vaccine - Nasovac (a nasal spray)- in July this year and since then it has sold 1.82 million vaccines in India. ''The demand is likely to rise in November and December. Our vaccine is safe to use in children above the age of three years," says Ahmed, director, marketing Serum Institute of India. Apart from Serum, Bharat Biotech, Cadila and Panacea, too, have developed a vaccine for H1N1.
Read more: Docs caution against H1N1 virus - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...-virus-/articleshow/6933128.cms#ixzz15Y4dS9i1