Via the Hong Kong edition of China Daily: Flu victims warned not to count on immunity. Excerpt:
People who have contracted A (H1N1) flu should not be misled into believing that the virus confers immunity to future episodes, Under Secretary for Health Gabriel Leung said Friday.
The secretary urged everyone, including those who have already had swine flu, to be vaccinated in preparation for the coming peak flu season.
“Even for seasonal flu, not 100 percent of them get immunity to the virus,” Leung said.
He continued, saying that about one quarter to 75 percent of patients infected with seasonal flu will not be immune to a recurrence of the virus. Immunity, he said, is very much an individual matter and may be affected by the physical condition of patients.
He encourages people, even those who have recovered from swine flu, to receive the vaccinations which will be available in mid December. Those who belonged to any of the five high-risk groups are also urged to receive the vaccine.
The five groups considered to be at highest risk are healthcare workers; chronically ill patients and pregnant women; children aged from six months to under six years; the elderly aged 65 and above; and pig farmers and slaughterhouse workers.
