Is the swine flu vaccine safe?

19 Oct 2009, 12:00 am   -   Source: SBS staff and agencies
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The federal government started administering some of its 21 million swine flu doses today. (AAP)

The federal government started administering some of its 21 million swine flu doses today. (AAP)

Experts do not all agree the swine flu vaccine is safe, with some claiming it hasn't been tested enough and others warning there's no time to waste.

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Experts do not all agree the swine flu vaccine is safe, with some claiming it hasn't been tested enough and others warning there's no time to waste.

According to the most recent figures, 178 Australians died after contracting swine flu this winter, and there have been 36,500 cases.

Side effects ‘unknown’

The ANU's Professor of Infectious Diseases Peter Collingnon says Australia should wait to see what happens with the vaccine in the northern hemisphere before rolling it out to millions of people.

"Now the problem is that if we railed out a vaccine to 20 million people, we will get some side effects from that. Now hopefully they will be minor," Professor Collingnon told the ABC.

Last swine flu vaccine caused problems

The last time there was a mass immunisation program from swine flu was in the 1970s.

"They unexpectedly found that about one in 100,000 people got this rare syndrome called Guillan-Barre where you get a form of paralysis”.

"We also know that a reasonable large proportion of people, about 50 per cent, do get side effects from the vaccine. They are mild to moderate but they are actually similar to the influenza itself," he told the ABC.

Vaccine ‘passed rigorous trials’

But Robert Booy, head of clinical research at the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance says waiting to roll out the vaccine would be absolute folly.

Prof Booy says the vaccine, developed by the Melbourne-based CSL Ltd, had passed a more rigorous trial than that required of vaccines made for conventional seasonal flu.

"I have no qualms at all about being vaccinated myself, and as soon as it’s possible and available I'll get my vaccine," he says.

"I've certainly encouraged anyone who is near and dear to me - such as my sister who has a chronic respiratory condition - to get her vaccination as soon as is practicable."

Research into side effects may take months

Professor Booy has told SBS it will take months to know extensively whether there are any side effects of the vaccine, apart from the known local side effects.

"Local side effects are to be expected with most vaccines.They are redness and swelling around the injection site and fever".

But to know if there any other side effects, we will have to wait for the vaccine to be rolled out to two to three million people.

"We will do an extensive safety check following the rolling out of the vaccine. We can't do research and rollout separately," he told SBS.

But he says despite the risks, there is no time to waste.

"History has shown that epidemics can occur in winter season and out of winter season".

‘Australians can’t afford to wait’

Alan Hampson, Chairman of the Influenza Specialist Group agrees.

"If we were to wait before giving the vaccine we could be completely caught off guard and we could have a new wave of infection in Australia before we have the time to vaccinate people," he told the ABC's AM program.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved the vaccine for use by people aged over ten. A trial of its effectiveness in children is continuing.

A single standard dose of the matched A(H1N1) vaccine has been shown to produce a strong immune response against the swine flu in over 95 per cent of healthy adults.

 

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Vaccine = Deadly Poison!

& they call themselves EXPERTS! - from Buckinqham Palace, 4 months ago

I'm a HCW & I received my 1st flu shot in 2009. Ever since this time I've been coughing up green sputum literally evryday 2geda wit other flu lyk symptoms. Evn during summer! I've noticed dat my immune system has lost its strength as I seem to gt da cold & flu on a wykly basis! I use to be fit & healthy until I took da VAC & I'm only 20yrs old. Da vaccine's a load of crap! It's jst da Gov's way of killing ppl off 2 reduce da population 4 their sinister agenda's. Well I ain't gona bk dwn evil B*^

Concerned

Brent - from Brisbane, 1 year

Im actually online looking for information or treatments for my partner. She suffers daily from a debilitating, deep muscular pain, sporadic joint pain and tingling fingers that doctors and specialists dont seem to be able to put a thumb on. She noted this all started shortly after her swine flu vaccination. She was in good health prior to the vaccination.

Bad vac.

allan - from Launceston, 2 years ago

My wife has ongoing pain as a direct result o this vaccination. She is a pianist, or was and can't play now. Her livelihood has diminished as a direct result. There are many Australian's who have been literally crippled by this vaccination. The drug companies did not advise of this long term problem and need to be taken to task.

Not sure about swine flu injection

Megsie - from Brisbane, 2 years ago

My Dad is 87 years old and was literally badgered by the local GP to come in for the Swine Flu Jab to protect him from the virus in April 2010. Prior to this he was well and on limited blood pressure medication - nothing else. Two days after the jab, he had a bladder infection which has taken three lots of different antibiotics to fix. Now more doctors and tests- the doctors say its "Just a coincidence" not the fault of the jab - but my Dad doesn't think so! Anyone else had the same problem

Pharma companies are not your buddy!!

Heidi - from Boronia, 2 years ago

Immunization is big, big business and Pharmaceutical companies make their money by promoting fear& creating a climate of dependance while they create more illhealth- "business".Vaccination bypasses the bodies natural immune response which begins with the mucous membranes, by injecting viral matter directly into the blood stream.No wonder then, that damage is done, especially to the sensitive nervous system.Why not halt green harvesting&soil depletion so we have the nutrients to fight disease.

Mrs

Sue - from Seville Grove, 2 years ago

I had a swine flu needle about two weeks ago. Felt reasonable after it. Then I started to notice a ache in the elbow & upper arm. I just put this down to arthritis. Today I'm tight in the chest & have blocked ears & a funny raspy throat. Then my daughter had the needle yesterday, her arm was sore afterwards today the whole arm is numb. My husband also had the needle & has had flu like symptoms for a week so far.

Ongoing concerns

Pixie - from Sunshine Coast, 2 years ago

Combined vaccination administered March 2010. Perfectly healthy before. No extreme reaction directly following, just very tired and headachy for a while but for months have experienced uncharacteristic intermittent tiredness and muscle fatigue. Have had intense "hot flushes" for months and patches of tiny blister like sores on my torso, which become quite itchy, then form a crusty top and EVENTUALLY disappear. I am a post menopausal Senior and have never had these sores before.

Swine Flu vac

Sheila - from Perth, 2 years ago

I had swine flu vaccination today, arm is hot and sore so far - no other side effects yet. When I told my daughter I had the vaccination she was surprised and said she had heard of some information around about the vaccine and what goes into in and it was similar to one made years ago that had caused some other health issues years later. True or not - who knows?

Interesting

Davbo - from Adelaide, 2 years ago

Have type 2 Diabetes and often suffer virus attacks over last two years, since diagnosed. This year immune system is stronger. Had the combined Flu and Swine vaccine three days ago. Sore aches, no fever good appetite. Second day. Felt fatigued. Third day. A little sensitive skin short spells of tiredness. See if persists on fourth day as am feeling much better than before. Inconclusive studies rely on more reports from those who tried the vaccine and govt. bodies releasing the truth. its 50/50.

freedom of choice

Thomas - from Cygnet Tasmania, 2 years ago

I was supposed to get my yearly flu shot today, not the swine flu, and was told that the swine flu vaccine is now combined with the normal flu shot - as determined by our Government, Big Pharma and our Health Dept.
Now I cannot have my yearly vaccination, because of my objection to the H1N1 vaccine.
So I no longer have freedom of choice, not only that but the price has increased [guess who profits ?]
My children and myself have allergies which rules out having the swine flu vaccine.

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