Over the next 2 weeks 1000 children will be given the new swine flu vaccine in an attempt to work out which vaccine works best with the least side effects. Experts are predicting the swine flu vaccine will at most cause sore arms and a fever.
The testing comes just weeks before the government are set to launch the first phase of UK swine flu vaccinations. 11 million people have been identified as high risk and will be vaccinated with one of the new swine flu vaccines next month.
Around the UK reports of an increase in the number of swine flu cases continue to grow as children return to school. The UK hopes to limit the number of swine flu cases over the seasonal flu season by vaccinating people with the new swine flu vaccine.
Swine flu in the UK
Tuesday 24 November 2009
Tuesday 17 November 2009
Swine Flu Vaccination Programme to go ahead
One of the swine flu vaccines order by the government has now been approved by the European drugs regulator. It seems plans to start vaccinating in October are on track and those in high risk groups and front line NHS staff will receive the first dose of the swine flu vaccine next month.
There has been wide spread uncertainty among the general public about the safety of the vaccine which has been fast tracked into production. It’s still unclear whether the government will choose to continue vaccinating the population after the high risk groups and front line health workers have been treated.
The government are now waiting for the swine flu vaccine to be licensed and delivered by the manufactures.
Swine Flu
There has been wide spread uncertainty among the general public about the safety of the vaccine which has been fast tracked into production. It’s still unclear whether the government will choose to continue vaccinating the population after the high risk groups and front line health workers have been treated.
The government are now waiting for the swine flu vaccine to be licensed and delivered by the manufactures.
Swine Flu
Monday 2 November 2009
Swine Flu Strikes Back
The second wave of swine flu could have arrived as the number of swine flu cases has risen for the first time since July. Last week there were 5000 reported swine flu cases up from 3000 the week before. The death toll also rose last week to 79 an increase of 4 and 150 people were hospitalised. The increase in cases suggests an early return of the second wave of swine flu predicted for the winter.
Earlier in the year experts predicted as many as 65,000 could die over the winter if a second wave of swine flu was to hit. The number of case are still relatively low but as the winter draws in a second wave of the highly contagious virus seems to be on the cards.
Swine Flu in the UK
Earlier in the year experts predicted as many as 65,000 could die over the winter if a second wave of swine flu was to hit. The number of case are still relatively low but as the winter draws in a second wave of the highly contagious virus seems to be on the cards.
Swine Flu in the UK
Wednesday 28 October 2009
Mums to be fear new swine flu vaccine
Only 6% of pregnant women said they would definitely have the new swine flu vaccine according to a poll published by mumsnet.com. This ties in with a similar poll were only 5% of mums said they would definitely let there children be vaccinated against the flu strain A H1N1.
Fears over the safety on the new swine flu vaccine that is set to be fast tracked and licensed for use October are clearly evident in the eyes of the public. 48% of pregnant women & 46% of mums would not have or let their children have the swine flu vaccine. Our own online poll shows that over 50% of people would turn down the chance to have a swine flu vaccine if offered.
Swine Flu
Fears over the safety on the new swine flu vaccine that is set to be fast tracked and licensed for use October are clearly evident in the eyes of the public. 48% of pregnant women & 46% of mums would not have or let their children have the swine flu vaccine. Our own online poll shows that over 50% of people would turn down the chance to have a swine flu vaccine if offered.
Swine Flu
Friday 25 September 2009
Tamiflu should not be given to children
Children should not be given the anti-viral drug Tamiflu for swine flu because its harms outweigh any benefits, Oxford researchers have said.
They called on the Department of Health to have an urgent rethink of its current policy in the swine flu pandemic.
Their study found that Tamiflu caused vomiting in some children, which can lead to dehydration and complications.
And the drug had little or no effect on asthma flare-ups, ear infections or the likelihood of a youngster needing antibiotics.
"The downside of the harms outweigh the one-day reduction in symptomatic benefits."
Read Full Story
Swine Flu Britain
They called on the Department of Health to have an urgent rethink of its current policy in the swine flu pandemic.
Their study found that Tamiflu caused vomiting in some children, which can lead to dehydration and complications.
And the drug had little or no effect on asthma flare-ups, ear infections or the likelihood of a youngster needing antibiotics.
"The downside of the harms outweigh the one-day reduction in symptomatic benefits."
Read Full Story
Swine Flu Britain
Thursday 13 August 2009
Children will not be offered Swine Flu Vaccine
A total of 11.5 million people will be vaccinated over the coming months, these include people who have been placed in high risk groups and front line health and social care workers.
Even though children are 10 times more likely to contract swine flu healthy people including children will not be offered the swine flu vaccine. In America everyone between the age of 6 months and 24 has been prioritised for the vaccine. Children are thought to spread the virus rapidly, 17% of swine flu deaths in the UK are those under the age of 15.
This will be the biggest vaccination programme since small pox in 1964.
Find out more about the swine flu vaccine on our website by clicking here, Swine Flu Vaccine
Swine Flu Britain
Swine Flu
Even though children are 10 times more likely to contract swine flu healthy people including children will not be offered the swine flu vaccine. In America everyone between the age of 6 months and 24 has been prioritised for the vaccine. Children are thought to spread the virus rapidly, 17% of swine flu deaths in the UK are those under the age of 15.
This will be the biggest vaccination programme since small pox in 1964.
Find out more about the swine flu vaccine on our website by clicking here, Swine Flu Vaccine
Swine Flu Britain
Swine Flu
Wednesday 12 August 2009
Tamiflu leaves '1,000 patients in suffering'
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said yesterday that between 1 April and 6 August there had been 418 reports of adverse side effects to Tamiflu and a further 686 suspected cases of adverse reactions. Last week alone there were 125 reports of adverse side effects in people taking Tamiflu, although not all of them may be due to the drug, the MHRA said.
About 300,000 people have been given Tamiflu since the start of the swine-flu outbreak and anyone who fulfils the criteria of the National Pandemic Flu Service can collect the drug free of charge after answering a series of questions about their symptoms on a questionnaire completed online or over the telephone.
A spokesman for the MHRA spokesman said that both Tamiflu and Relenza are acceptably safe medicines and that most people will not suffer any side effects.
Read the full story in the Independent
www.swineflubritain.co.uk
About 300,000 people have been given Tamiflu since the start of the swine-flu outbreak and anyone who fulfils the criteria of the National Pandemic Flu Service can collect the drug free of charge after answering a series of questions about their symptoms on a questionnaire completed online or over the telephone.
A spokesman for the MHRA spokesman said that both Tamiflu and Relenza are acceptably safe medicines and that most people will not suffer any side effects.
Read the full story in the Independent
www.swineflubritain.co.uk
Monday 10 August 2009
Tamiflu should not be given to children
Children should not be given the anti-viral drug Tamiflu for swine flu because its harms outweigh any benefits, Oxford researchers have said.
They called on the Department of Health to have an urgent rethink of its current policy in the swine flu pandemic. Their study found that Tamiflu caused vomiting in some children, which can lead to dehydration and complications.
And the drug had little or no effect on asthma flare-ups, ear infections or the likelihood of a youngster needing antibiotics.
"The downside of the harms outweigh the one-day reduction in symptomatic benefits."
Read the full story
www.swineflubritain.co.uk
They called on the Department of Health to have an urgent rethink of its current policy in the swine flu pandemic. Their study found that Tamiflu caused vomiting in some children, which can lead to dehydration and complications.
And the drug had little or no effect on asthma flare-ups, ear infections or the likelihood of a youngster needing antibiotics.
"The downside of the harms outweigh the one-day reduction in symptomatic benefits."
Read the full story
www.swineflubritain.co.uk
Friday 7 August 2009
Swine Flu Cases Slowing
The latest BBC report suggests the rate of swine flu cases is falling sharply. Last week there were 30,000 reported cases compared to 110,000 the week before and 100,000 3 weeks ago.
The UK death toll stands at 40, with just over 500 people been admitted to hospital last week, down from nearly 800 the week before.
Experts are studying trends in swine flu hit countries around the world to help determine how the virus will next react. It’s predicted that there will be a surge in the number of cases through out the winter months. The increase in cases is likely to occur a few weeks after schools return from their summer break.
The department of health claim 3 quarters of the population are not worried about the swine flu pandemic. This ties in with what our online poll is saying though there has been a slight increase over the past few days
http://www.swineflubritain.co.uk/
The UK death toll stands at 40, with just over 500 people been admitted to hospital last week, down from nearly 800 the week before.
Experts are studying trends in swine flu hit countries around the world to help determine how the virus will next react. It’s predicted that there will be a surge in the number of cases through out the winter months. The increase in cases is likely to occur a few weeks after schools return from their summer break.
The department of health claim 3 quarters of the population are not worried about the swine flu pandemic. This ties in with what our online poll is saying though there has been a slight increase over the past few days
http://www.swineflubritain.co.uk/
Wednesday 5 August 2009
Swine Flu – The Latest Figures
Over the past 7 days a number of new figures have been released. In the UK the number of reported swine flu cases has slowed, increasing by just 10% to 110,000. While a 150,000 doses of anti viral treatment were given out.
Around the world reports of a new strain of swine flu resistant to anti viral treatment have been cropping up. The new strain which is resistant to anti-viral drugs has now been reported in Mexico, America, Canada, Denmark, Hong Kong and Japan.
This comes after the world health organisation released figures that showed 300 out of the 338 people who died last week were Americans.
The virus continues spread around the globe with 168 countries now reporting cases and 1154 deaths confirmed.
http://www.swineflubritain.co.uk
Around the world reports of a new strain of swine flu resistant to anti viral treatment have been cropping up. The new strain which is resistant to anti-viral drugs has now been reported in Mexico, America, Canada, Denmark, Hong Kong and Japan.
This comes after the world health organisation released figures that showed 300 out of the 338 people who died last week were Americans.
The virus continues spread around the globe with 168 countries now reporting cases and 1154 deaths confirmed.
http://www.swineflubritain.co.uk
Monday 3 August 2009
Counterfeit Tamiflu
The antiviral drug ‘Tamiflu’ is a known counterfeited drug. In 2007 the UK seized half a million pounds worth of fake tamiflu and identified 18 online websites selling the drug. A major manufacturing operation was broke with 400kg of fake tamiflu confiscated, and 46 tons of raw material, though it was estimated 400kg had already been sold over the internet.
A channel 4 documentary highlighted just how easy counterfeit prescription drugs were finding their way into Britain and on occasion into main stream chemists. Many of the drugs looked identical to the originals and in some cases had been produced using industrial chemicals.
As fear over the wide spread swine flu pandemic increase there is a risk that the counterfeiters will try to take advantage of the situation. The public are advised not to purchase tamiflu online or through unregulated markets.
Identifying fake tamiflu…
• Tamiflu comes in a white cardboard box with the wording “Tamiflu® Oseltamivir 75mg” written clearly on the front with a green hexagon and the Roche logo. The right hand flap of the pack has an expiry date, batch number and, depending on the country, a manufactured date embossed into the pack. In addition the side of the pack has a distinctive logo.
• The box contains a single blister package containing 10 Tamiflu capsules, which are a distinct yellow and light grey colour. Each blister contains one capsule which can be seen through the transparent outer layer:
• Each blister is printed on the aluminium foil of the reverse side with Roche and the Roche hexagon, and the words “Tamiflu Oseltamivir 75mg”:
• The batch number and expiry date (in some countries also the manufacturing date) on the outside packaging should match the batch number and expiry date (and in some countries the manufacturing date) on the inner packaging:
• Each Tamiflu capsule is also printed with the words “Roche 75mg”.
(http://www.roche.com/med_mbtamiflu05e.pdf)
More information at Swine Flu Britain
Sean Rushforth
A channel 4 documentary highlighted just how easy counterfeit prescription drugs were finding their way into Britain and on occasion into main stream chemists. Many of the drugs looked identical to the originals and in some cases had been produced using industrial chemicals.
As fear over the wide spread swine flu pandemic increase there is a risk that the counterfeiters will try to take advantage of the situation. The public are advised not to purchase tamiflu online or through unregulated markets.
Identifying fake tamiflu…
• Tamiflu comes in a white cardboard box with the wording “Tamiflu® Oseltamivir 75mg” written clearly on the front with a green hexagon and the Roche logo. The right hand flap of the pack has an expiry date, batch number and, depending on the country, a manufactured date embossed into the pack. In addition the side of the pack has a distinctive logo.
• The box contains a single blister package containing 10 Tamiflu capsules, which are a distinct yellow and light grey colour. Each blister contains one capsule which can be seen through the transparent outer layer:
• Each blister is printed on the aluminium foil of the reverse side with Roche and the Roche hexagon, and the words “Tamiflu Oseltamivir 75mg”:
• The batch number and expiry date (in some countries also the manufacturing date) on the outside packaging should match the batch number and expiry date (and in some countries the manufacturing date) on the inner packaging:
• Each Tamiflu capsule is also printed with the words “Roche 75mg”.
(http://www.roche.com/med_mbtamiflu05e.pdf)
More information at Swine Flu Britain
Sean Rushforth
Wednesday 29 July 2009
Pregnant Women to take tamiflu
Health officials in the US claim pregnant women should start antiviral treatment immediately if they show signs of swine flu. The claims come after analysis showed 13% of the people who have died from swine flu are pregnant women who had not been treated with antiviral drugs.
Even though the antiviral drug tamiflu is not recommended for pregnant women as effects on the unborn child are unknown experts say the risk of not taking the medication out ways the risk of unknown effects.
Throughout the pandemic pregnant women have been placed in the high risk category and are advised to seek medical advice from their local GP if they show signs of the wide spread virus.
Keep up to date with the latest swine flu developments, breaking news and advice from the NHS at:
http://www.swineflubritain.co.uk/
Swine Flu
Even though the antiviral drug tamiflu is not recommended for pregnant women as effects on the unborn child are unknown experts say the risk of not taking the medication out ways the risk of unknown effects.
Throughout the pandemic pregnant women have been placed in the high risk category and are advised to seek medical advice from their local GP if they show signs of the wide spread virus.
Keep up to date with the latest swine flu developments, breaking news and advice from the NHS at:
http://www.swineflubritain.co.uk/
Swine Flu
Tuesday 28 July 2009
Swine Flu in the UK
The swine flu pandemic is spreading rapidly around the globe, the UK is the worst hit country outside Mexico and America with over 100,000 reported cases and 31 deaths.
Last week the government launched a national flu pandemic service offering self diagnosis over the internet or via a swine flu help line. When the service went live it was receiving 2,600 hits a second, 5500 doses of antiviral treatment were given out in the first day.
Experts are predicting 1 in 3 could contract the virus in the UK equivalent to 18 million people, with a possible death toll of 65,000 over the winter months.
You can keep up to date with the latest developments, breaking news and advice from the NHS at www.SwineFluBritain.co.uk
Swine Flu Britain
Last week the government launched a national flu pandemic service offering self diagnosis over the internet or via a swine flu help line. When the service went live it was receiving 2,600 hits a second, 5500 doses of antiviral treatment were given out in the first day.
Experts are predicting 1 in 3 could contract the virus in the UK equivalent to 18 million people, with a possible death toll of 65,000 over the winter months.
You can keep up to date with the latest developments, breaking news and advice from the NHS at www.SwineFluBritain.co.uk
Swine Flu Britain
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