Claudia Calleja
Swine flu jabs are 'safe and highly recommended'
Leading by example... Health care director general Ray Busuttil getting inoculated against swine flu. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
The health authorities are insisting that the swine flu vaccine is safe and that taking the jab is highly recommended.
The only people who should not be vaccinated are those suffering from "very severe egg allergies" since, during the creation of the vaccine, the virus was reproduced in egg yolk and there could be very small traces of egg in the jab, healthcare director general Ray Busuttil said.
Those who had a confirmed case of swine flu could also choose not to be jabbed although taking the vaccine would do no harm, he said, adding that vaccination was an important step towards preventing swine flu from spreading.
"Although the vaccine is not compulsory for anyone, we insist that taking the vaccine is highly recommended... We must emphasise the safety of the vaccine," he said at the Floriana health centre yesterday where healthcare workers were being jabbed.
Over the past months, media across the globe reported ongoing fears of adverse effects caused by the vaccine ranging from miscarriages to heart attacks.
A few minutes before being vaccinated, Dr Busuttil stressed there was nothing to worry about. "Three to four months ago we too had our doubts but now we have the experience of 65 million doses across various countries. It has resulted that the vaccine does not have severe side effects that are any different to those of the normal seasonal flu vaccine," Dr Busuttil said, adding the vaccine was recommended by the World Health Organisation.
In the case of adults, the side effects were the usual 24-hour muscle and joint aches while children could get some fever.
The first 100,000 doses of the GlaxoSmithKline's H1N1 vaccine Pandremix arrived on Monday night.
The inoculation of vulnerable groups will take place between Saturday and January 10, when pregnant women and chronic patients can visit their local health centre that will be open between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. and from 3 to 7 p.m. every day. In Gozo, vaccinations will take place at the General Hospital.
People have to produce their identity card and their yellow card showing they suffered from a chronic illness. Those who did not have the yellow card could take a doctor's letter.
All vaccinations will be registered and logged.
Next week, the district clinics will be closed as manpower is needed in the health centres to cope with the vaccinations. Anyone requiring assistance can go to the health centres.
The next consignment of the vaccine is expected to arrive towards the beginning of March. This will cover the rest of the population, including children between six months and nine years of age and those over 60, both of whom would probably need two doses about four weeks apart.
Since the swine flu was identified in Malta last June, vulnerable people with flu-like symptoms have been treated with the antiviral drug Tamiflu. Four deaths have been registered due to the virus. The most recent case was 32-year-old Justin Chircop (see story below) who died from complications at the Intensive Care Unit of Mater Dei Hospital on Monday night.
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Dr Michael A. Riccioli
Jan 1st 2010, 11:29
@Johnny Smith
Prosit Mr Smith, you're looking well after your body ... I forgot to mention onions and parsley. Thank you for adding them to the list. Onions also help when you have a runny/running nose (in homeopathy they use red onions - ALLIUM CEPA - see www.drlockie.com)
Johnny Smith
Dec 31st 2009, 11:48
Dr Michael A. Riccioli: I quite agree with what Dr. Riccioli said that if a person takes "honey, pollen, propolis, special homeopathic medicine to prevent flu (only during the winter months), hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, figs, apricots (fresh and dried)...But although I do take most of these especially the nuts, figs, fresh onions & one parsley. With my salid I also mix some small pieces of fresh lemon and oranges that had been first passed through a grater which includes the inner and outer parts too.
Then after my meals I do take a small bit of the nuts and half an inch (small bit) size of dark chocolate. The Japanese and others take these parts too as it is good to prevent flu and other illness.
In fact when my family where all ill with the Flu, I was the only one that was not infected, so these items in fact do protect the human body. Onions is good for the bone, parsley and dark chocolate are good for the blood circulation. Worst enemies are the taking of lots of butter and sugar or sweets, at least try to control the quantities.
Marcelle cini
Dec 31st 2009, 11:04
@Gabriella Apap Bologna
I am glad that you haven't experienced severe sides,however please explain to me why recently a 7 year old boy died after getting the jab in Taiwan.His father is a gynaecologist.And that is one example.
You have the right to your own opinion but just because nothing happened to you doesn't mean that is is safe. To be cautious is not stupid, actually it is wise considering that this regards our health.
Brian Farrugia
Dec 31st 2009, 08:50
People will believe anything that any authority tells them.Do your own research, listen to what everyone has to say.After you do you wont go withing spitting distance of this vaccine.
Dr Michael A. Riccioli
Dec 30th 2009, 21:23
My family and I refused to have the swine flu jab in Paris. Our two doctors told us they were not having the jabs either. I think that only 7% of the population in France have been vaccinated so far.
My personal approach is that people should learn how to immunise themselves against infection. Throughout the year I have royal jelly(the real stuff), honey, pollen, propolis, special homeopathic medicine to prevent flu (only during the winter months), hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, figs, apricots (fresh and dried)...
I don't understand why the medical world tend to remain silent on such basic things .... my guess is that pharmaceutical companies are making a lot of money out of all the panic.
Francelle Pace Agius
Dec 30th 2009, 18:48
Which is the safest risk to take? getting vaccinated risking you will be yourself one in a percentage who have experienced drastic effects or else get the flu itself? honestly i dont know since friends of mine who are asthimatics and actually got swine flu recovered smoothly within a matter of days.... can we risk our jobs and studies for vaccine side effects?? also, media always mentionns that the victims of swine flu had underlyng conditions... can anyone SPECIFY???
Gabriella Apap Bologna
Dec 30th 2009, 18:02
Mr Muscat, are you a doctor specialised in immunology and dealing with these things? Are you an expert however remotely connected to this field? I've had the vaccination. Yes my arm was extremely sore for a week. Yes I did experience flu like symptoms for a day. At the end of the day, if this means that if I do get swine flu it will be a much milder form instead of a stay in hospital, it will be worth it. Please unless you know what you are talking about DO NOT SPREAD SUCH STUPID INFORMATION!!!!!!!
Giovanni Pace
Dec 30th 2009, 17:53
Many has been said and so far there are many persons that had read these comments and are rather afraid of these jabs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7k0e3kpoxE But after we saw this video report about the new swine flu jab we are totally against it as we would be more at risk, yet can anyone or Dr. Ray Busutill tell us if we are liable to become like this woman if we take this jab? Also can anyone from the Health Department give us a guarantee that your jabs contain a 100% safety - but if not, why do we have to risk our life as if we are at a risk like a Guinea-pig? The people awaits some response to decide? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7k0e3kpoxE
M.Wilson
Dec 30th 2009, 17:48
John Smith So what is this, can any explain, or the Daily Mail is a lier? http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1200088/Our-teachers-abducted-aliens-Pupils-terrified-UFO-stunt-backfires.html
John Smith
Dec 30th 2009, 16:21
So what is this, can any explain, or the Daily Mail is a lier?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1206807/Swine-flu-jab-link-killer-nerve-disease-Leaked-letter-reveals-concern-neurologists-25-deaths-America.html
D.Falzon
Dec 30th 2009, 15:17
JOE E GALEA
IF YOU ARE SCARED OF NEEDLES - WHY CREATE HYSTERICS? WHY THE PANIC?
OK SO YOU READ ABOUT SOMEONE HAVING A SIDE EFFECT - SO? SOME PEOPLE HAVE SIDE EFFECTS BY EATING NUTS. WILL YOU BE GIVING (OR HAVE YOU GIVEN) THE MUMPS MEASELS AND RUBELLA JAB TO YOUR KIDS? DO YOU KNOW THERE COULD BE SEVERE SIDE EFFECTS IN THAT AS WELL?
PANIC PANIC PANIC
Y Pirotta
Dec 30th 2009, 13:58
Can anybody tell us for how long does this vaccine protect us? Is it like the normal yearly influenza jab, which offers protection for 6 months (we have been told)?
A.Charles
Dec 30th 2009, 12:33
As a healthcare professional, I have just taken the swine flu vaccine.
Christian Sciberras
Dec 30th 2009, 12:11
@Charles Muscat - Oh I don't know, maybe because if he wasn't infected he wouldn't have had any complications int he first place?
Joe E Galea
Dec 30th 2009, 11:58
It is just a mrketing effort to make the economic wheels of pharmaceuticals turn during the economic crisis. I read about a lot of people experience very bad side effects from these jabs. Definitely I won't be taking it just to make the importers richer.
D. Pace
Dec 30th 2009, 11:37
@ Charles Muscat
In which planet do you live???
Charles Muscat
Dec 30th 2009, 11:21
How can anyone say that Justin Chircop died from Swine flu if he had complications?
Charles Muscat
Dec 30th 2009, 11:13
No wonder Malta is laid off. Swine flu is unheard of these days, it is a thing of the past. But, business is business and the show must go on.