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How Effective Is The Swine Flu Vaccination?

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Posted on Fri, 20 Feb 2015
Question: Hi

I have a 21 Months old daughter
I hail from XXXX
As you know there are many case of swine flu being reported from this part of the world

Should i go for swine flu vaccine for my little daughter
Is this vaccine really recommended and effective?

Please advise
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Swine flu vaccine starts working after 2 weeks and lasts for only a season

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

Swine flu refers to a variety of influenza that affects pigs. A different variety affects humans. If somehow both the swine variety as well as the human variety of influenza virus somehow enter body of a human, antigenic recombination may arise giving rise to a new form to which humans are not immune. Thus this newly formed (if it happens) variety may cause an epidemic and hence the fear. It is not due to the fear of the swine flu virus itself affecting a person.

About reports of swine flu cases in this part of the world, in XXXXXXX 18 cases are supposed to have been tested positive for H1N1. There have been reported cases from XXXXXXX as well, in this season.

Swine flu vaccine is not an essential vaccine. But, if you feel apprehensive, you can definitely give swine flu vaccination to your daughter or your family members but please note that it becomes effective only after two weeks of the vaccination and the immunity lasts for only one flu season. All I can say is that regular citizens like us have very less possibility to get exposed to the swine virus. Swine flu vaccine is effective in preventing swine flu for the scheduled duration.

Hope that helps.

Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Diptanshu Das

Pediatrician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 3877 Questions

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How Effective Is The Swine Flu Vaccination?

Brief Answer: Swine flu vaccine starts working after 2 weeks and lasts for only a season Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. Swine flu refers to a variety of influenza that affects pigs. A different variety affects humans. If somehow both the swine variety as well as the human variety of influenza virus somehow enter body of a human, antigenic recombination may arise giving rise to a new form to which humans are not immune. Thus this newly formed (if it happens) variety may cause an epidemic and hence the fear. It is not due to the fear of the swine flu virus itself affecting a person. About reports of swine flu cases in this part of the world, in XXXXXXX 18 cases are supposed to have been tested positive for H1N1. There have been reported cases from XXXXXXX as well, in this season. Swine flu vaccine is not an essential vaccine. But, if you feel apprehensive, you can definitely give swine flu vaccination to your daughter or your family members but please note that it becomes effective only after two weeks of the vaccination and the immunity lasts for only one flu season. All I can say is that regular citizens like us have very less possibility to get exposed to the swine virus. Swine flu vaccine is effective in preventing swine flu for the scheduled duration. Hope that helps. Regards Dr. Diptanshu Das