Swine Flu policy reviewed, vaccines from next month

A. Fernandez

Dec 16th 2009, 19:30

@ mportelli

Burying my head in the sand would mean that I would not be informing myself about the matter. As this is not the case, your attempt to make my comment appear as the ramblings of someone who buries his head in the sand is invalid.

I will not bother repeating all information that is available but suggest instead(again) that people inform themselves and then make a decision instead of just taking what one side says for granted.

ppace

Dec 16th 2009, 16:39

the vaccine will be given to pregnant women........ are there enough studies to prove that the vaccine will not harm the foetus? Will the goverment be responsible for any potentially birth defects caused by this vaccine?

mportelli

Dec 16th 2009, 16:37

@ Mr. A Fernandez - in an answer to your 'rhetorical' question; we do stockpile on seasonal flu vaccines each and every year - in fact the health deptartment annually launches a campaign trying to educate the general public on the benefits of taking the seasonal flu vaccine. We as healthcare professionals have also yearly recommended the vaccine to our patients especially to those over the ages of 55, the very young and those in close contact with people. The taking of the vaccine occurs every November/December as it has done for many a year.
I would appreciate it if you would stop introducing doubt about the swine flu vaccine, like the normal flu vaccine it is highly recommended and should at least be taken by people falling into the 'at risk' catagories - calling the vaccination/ information programme re: swine flu 'scaremongering' I'm afraid is just burying your head in the sand.

Ernest Vella

Dec 16th 2009, 08:14

Insaqsi, ghaliex waqt li l-iswine flue qeghda tiggrava, mid-dipartiment tas-sahha irtiraw is-sejha biex ma jiltaqghux nies f'numri kbar...inhoss li din saret b'mod irresponsabbli!!! Tajjeb li d-dipartiment tas-sahha jaghti spjegazzjoni...first things first....economy sure is not in the first place

A. Fernandez

Dec 15th 2009, 21:19

"Mr Galea said the seriousness of swine flu should not be underestimated because it was as serious as normal flu. "

So the seasonal flu is more serious? So why bother with these vaccines now and not every time the seasonal flu hits? (To make it clear, that was rhetorical. It is obvious what reasons are behind the scaremongering with swine flu are - financial interests of a few)

I'm sure that the stocking up on vaccines didn't happen by chance but most likely through a visit from your friendly salesman from the pharma-industry.

"Patients showing symptoms of the H1N1 (swine flu) virus are to be administered Tamiflu immediately... included vulnerable groups such as pregnant women..."

Giving pregnant women Tamiflu straight away... I won't even bother getting into that.

I suggest that people do not just take the Parliamentary Secretariat's advice on this matter blindly but inform themselves from other sources as well.

Ludwig Flask

Dec 15th 2009, 20:42

What's the number of H1N1 known cases in local schools? and in which schools?

marcelle cini

Dec 15th 2009, 19:18

Don't give Tamiflu or Relenza to under-12s, warn researchers
• Swine flu drugs may have side-effects that outweigh benefits
• Government stresses 'safety first' approach for severe symptoms



James Sturcke
guardian.co.uk, Monday 10 August 2009 12.52 BST
Please read this article .

And can our health officals tell us the severe side effects that many people all over the world had after receiving the vaccine? Is this why many are refusing the shot ?

Gordon Pace

Dec 15th 2009, 17:54

With reference to the comment made by Mr Gellel, I would like to point out that the various precautions taken nationwide, a tamiflu stock, as well as countless other measures didnt just happen by chance.

As regards the vaccine, the secretariat has been stating that they will be available in the first months of 2010, which is exactly the case.

Should you wish further information, do not hesitate to contact me on gordon.pace@gov.mt

regards
Gordon Pace
Communications Coordinator
Parliamentary Secretariat for the Elderly & Community Care

mario gellel

Dec 15th 2009, 17:29

I HATE TO BE NEGATIVE ON THIS ISSUE, BUT WERE IS THE "WELL PREPARED FOR ANY EVENT" ASSURANCE GIVEN BY THE GOVT, WHEN WE ARE BEING TOLD OF THE VACCINE DELAY FROM MONTH TO MONTH??? IT'S LIKE BEING TAKEN FOR A RIDE, OR NOT??

J. Galea

Dec 15th 2009, 16:54

Thanks for all the information given especially regarding school chrildren and parties.
We all need to be extra careful.
Thanks to all the people working in this sector, keep up the good work.
Well Done!