While we try to forget H1N1, the people in the southern hemisphere are trying to prevent a new wave. Via the Wairarapa Times-Age: New shots fired in flu fight - Local News. Excerpt:
A new influenza super-shot will hopefully keep pregnant women, the chronically sick, and elderly people shielded against swine flu in Wairarapa this year.
The at-risk groups are being targeted from Monday in an early immunisation campaign, but immunisations will also be available to paying customers.
The improved seasonal influenza vaccine, at GP practices from Monday, will cover recipients against the H1N1 (swine) flu strain, as well as two other strains of influenza prevalent in California and Asia. Swine flu killed 16,000 people worldwide last year.
The shot will also be aimed at some children with high needs as well as people who are obese, aged over 65, or have chronic illnesses.
It works in the same way as other influenza vaccines and following immunisation takes about two weeks to build a good immune response, say specialists.
There were still stocks of the antiviral medicine Tamiflu in the region, but it was expected the new vaccine would mean little of that would be needed.
