H1N1 immunisation: too much too soon?

Australian Prescriber - H1N1 immunisation: too much too soon?

Nicola Roxon and the Rudd government have got a lot of explaining to do about why they wasted tens of millions of our tax-payer dollars on this ridiculous scare campaign and why they are STILL pushing for flu vaccination when all of the available research shows that it is not protective in any age group - any circumstance.

In April 2009, a new influenza strain − H1N1 'swine flu' − was identified in Mexico with an apparent high case fatality rate (about 5%). As H1N1 spread rapidly throughout the world it caused not only a 'pandemic' but also widespread fear. However, overall, swine flu has been associated with fewer deaths (case fatality rate < 0.01%) than seasonal influenza (case fatality rate < 0.1% approx.),1 and is of low virulence. While younger people were disproportionately infected by swine flu, it was people aged 50–60 years who had more frequent serious illness in terms of admissions to intensive care units and deaths.2–4

In the 2009 Australian winter, swine flu's associated mortality rate was 0.9 per 100 000 people. In those under 40 years with no risk factors, the mortality rate was less than one per million.3 While there were some differences (for example pregnant women), the overall effects of this virus as judged by absenteeism, hospitalisations and deaths were similar to those of previous seasonal influenza strains.2–4