Is the vaccine a safe option?

Doctors prescribe Influenza A vaccine to prevent swine flu; however, state health officials claim there's no proof of its potency

A vaccine against swine flu will be available only by March 2010, but meanwhile, a few city-based doctors have been prescribing Influenza A vaccine, which they claim protects against the dreaded flu. State health officials and senior doctors, however, beg to differ.

Eyewash
The Influenza A vaccine protects against seasonal flu and needs to be taken every year, but its efficacy against H1N1 is not proven, say experts.

"If it was effective against swine flu, there would be no need to develop a new vaccine," said Dr Pradip Awate, senior official, state health directorate, swine flu cell coordinator.

Dr Deepak Jumani, physician at the Sion Hospital and senior member of Indian Medical Association, said, "This is just an eyewash and sophisticated quackery. It is sad that doctors are prescribing the flu vaccine," said Jumani. "The WHO has not given any concrete data that this vaccine gives any cross-immunity against H1N1," said Dr Ashok Mehta, joint director, state health services.

Good idea
Some doctors say the common flu vaccine is a good idea. Family physician Dr Bhavana Bhingare from Bibvewadi said, though hygiene is the best protection, there is no harm in taking extra precaution. "The common flu vaccine does increase the chances of fighting the H1N1 virus, but I don't prescribe it to every patient. Those with less immunity can try it."

Chest physician Dr Nitin Abhyankar from Jehangir Hospital, Bund Garden Road, said scientific papers in an international journal have proved that Influenza A vaccine can act against swine flu.

"It is advisable to take the vaccine if a patients fears he may contract the virus. It will not go waste, as the vaccine will at least act against simple influenza, which kills more people every year."

Blame patients
A general physician from Kothrud said that doctors are not the only ones to blame. "Many patients demand a vaccine to put their minds to rest. Paying Rs 500 for one's own mental peace isn't much." Chemist Rajendra Jain, who runs Vijay Medicals in Camp area, said, "Every one knows there is no vaccine for swine flu, but they still ask for a vaccine."