To jab or not to jab

If you're stumped as to whether or not to get an H1N1 or seasonal flu vaccine, you're not the only one.  Though the H1N1 vaccine will be made available to high-risk categories (pregnant women, people over 65), medical staff and police officers beginning in November, Health Ministry officials say children will not be vaccinated due to safety concerns.

"There are 200,000 doses in the first wave - for the high-risk patients," health official Markéta Hellerová said. The decision not to include children in the first wave was a precautionary measure, as tests are still being carried out to determine if the vaccine is safe.

Concerns over the safety of the vaccines have arisen in recent weeks, and Czech medical professionals are split over the possible risks of the H1N1 vaccine. Some Czech doctors, for instance, have refused to be vaccinated until the vaccines are proved safe. Test trials for the vaccines are currently being undertaken.

"Testing vaccinations for children is in progress. If there are any complications, the dosage could be adjusted," said Hana Cabrnochová, vice chairwoman of the Czech Medical Association. But there is another added complication. "The only problem is that Czechs are not sufficiently vaccinated against the regular influenza - not even among the high-risk groups. Only 5 percent to 6 percent of children are vaccinated for the regular flu, and, when it comes to adults, it does not exceed 20 percent, which is much less than in other European states."

A recent Canadian study commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that Czech reluctance to go under the needle for a seasonal flu vaccine may not be entirely unfounded, at least this year. The unpublished study reportedly links having a seasonal flu shot last year with a doubled risk of being infected by swine flu this year. Because the data is only preliminary and has not been reviewed at an international level, Czech public health officials say it's not enough to change their flu season strategy.

"None of the experts in the European Union has even had the chance to see this research yet," said Vlastimil Sršeň, spokesman for the Health Ministry. He went on to explain that the ministry continues to recommend vaccination against seasonal flu.

As the traditional flu season approaches, medical officials are preparing for a surge in swine flu cases.

"The first wave of the disease is about to end, and now we expect the second wave in the autumn season - the season of illnesses," said Michael Vít, chief public health officer.

There have been 296 confirmed swine flu cases in the Czech Republic. Worldwide, more than 320,000 have fallen victim with 4,000 fatalities. For those eligible for the first wave of vaccines, the location of vaccination centers throughout the country will soon be announced.

The Czech Republic has signed a contract for 1 million vaccines, which will be available in waves based on the risk level of the patient, with more than 60,000 vaccines set aside for health workers and 90,000 for people involved in essential services.

One of the test vaccines (made by Baxter) awaits approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMEA), though its release is eminent. Pandemrix (made by GlaxoSmithKline) has already been approved, as has Focetria (made by the Swiss company Novartis).

Manufacturers have been asked by the EMEA to monitor any side-effects from the vaccine so action can be taken as early as possible if a safety issue emerges. The EMEA states: "As with all medicines, rare adverse reactions may only be detected once the vaccines are used in large numbers of people."

Trials are under way in the United Kingdom, the worst-hit European country, involving children aged between 6 months and 12 years. More than 1,000 are taking part in the tests over the next two weeks.

- Tom Clifford

Examining the myths surrounding flu

Myth 1. Seasonal flu is harmless

A study conducted by the Yale School of Medicine suggests that flu infections account for a significant amount of worker absenteeism and subsequent losses in productivity. Even in developed countries, clinics and hospitals can become overwhelmed during flu season when large numbers of people arrive seeking treatment. Although most healthy adults recover from seasonal influenza in a few weeks, many people require hospitalization, and, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in the United States alone, around 36,000 people die annually from seasonal flu-related causes

Myth 2.  You can only catch the flu when it's cold outside

According to the World Health Organization's Web site, the various strains of the common flu circulate throughout the world each year with little regard for the local climate, and some tropical countries experience infection peaks during the rainy season. So why do flu season and wintry or rainy weather coincide? Simple: People are more often indoors during periods of inclement weather, and the close proximity leads to more germs spreading

Myth 3. After December, it is too late to get a flu vaccine

According to the Cleveland Clinic, the best time to get vaccinated against the flu is in September, but, because flu season usually extends into February and March, getting a vaccine later may still protect you

Myth 4. Once you've come down with the flu, you can't be reinfected that year

There are three types of seasonal influenza: A, B and C. Researchers say more than one strain of flu can often circulate in a given season, so it's possible to be infected more than once if a second strain is going around

Myth 5. Bed rest is the only cure

In addition to treating your symptoms with home remedies like chicken soup and over-the-counter medications, there are plenty of vitamin supplements on the market whose manufacturers say will strengthen your immune system and help fight seasonal flu infections. Anti-viral drugs like Tamiflu and Relenza are available by prescription and can be effective in shortening the duration of illness if you start taking them within a few days of the onset of symptoms

- Emily Thompson

The writers can be reached at

specialsection@praguepost.com