AH1N1 for Health Workers

CEBU, Philippines - The threat of Influenza A(H1N1) shook the world, especially when those affected by the illness grew in number.

But what is Influenza A(H1N1)? Influenza A(H1N1) is an illness that is caused by a new virus that resulted from the re-assortment of four viruses from pigs, humans and birds. It was first detected in people in April 2009 in the Americas. Like regular seasonal influenza viruses, it spreads from person-to-person in the same way.

The signs and symptoms in humans are similar to the symptoms of regular flu such as: fever, headache, fatigue, muscle or joint pains, lack of appetite, runny nose, sore throat, and cough. Some cases have been reported to include symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.

Influenza A(H1N1) is transmitted through direct exposure to the droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also be transmitted through touching the mouth, nose or eyes after touching infected things. Influenza A(H1N1) is not transmitted by eating pork. However, it is still advisable to properly handle and thoroughly cook pork so as to avoid other diseases.

Influenza A(H1N1) is potentially dangerous and prevention and intervention is imminent. Luckily there is now a means to stop Influenza A(H1N1). In a media forum on Influenza A(H1N1), the Department of Health’s Health and Human Resource Development Unit said that the World Health Organization or WHO has donated nine million doses to the Philippines, covering 10 percent of the general population. In 2009, the WHO called for international solidarity to provide fair and equitable access to the vaccines for all countries. To date, the WHO has helped secure significant donations from its partners and developed countries for the 95 low- and middle-income nations. The WHO’s goal is to provide each of these 95 nations with enough vaccines to immunize at least 10% of its population.

The A(H1N1) vaccine is an effective and safe vaccine against the A(H1N1) virus. It is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The goals of the vaccine’s deployment are: to protect the integrity of the health care system and the country’s critical health infrastructure against pandemic A(H1N1) virus infections, to reduce the morbidity and mortality due to pandemic A(H1N1) virus infections, and to reduce the transmission of the pandemic A(H1N1) virus strain within communities.

Because of the limited number of vaccines, a stepwise approach is to be followed prioritizing people by dividing them into groups. The 1st group that is to be prioritized is that of the group of health workers. The second group is the group of pregnant women. The third group is the group of children from six months to five years old and adults more that 60 years of age. The next group is those with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, asthma, HIV and hypertension. The last group to be prioritized is everybody else who does not belong to any group mentioned above.

In the forum, it was explained that health workers are to be prioritized first in the administering of vaccines since they are the frontliners to the fight against Influenza A(H1N1). They handle the cases and serve the communities so they should be in shape to do their jobs, thus, they are vaccinated first.

Of the nine million doses given by the WHO, 1.9 will go to the health workers. And in Region 7, 50,000 health workers both from the public and private health sector will benefit from the vaccine.

For the rest of the population who want to be vaccinated against Influenza A(H1N1), the vaccines are expected to be commercially available by June or July. The cost of the vaccine however, has not yet been specified. The shots are to be given once a year and immunity from the illness will last for six months only. The vaccine guarantees 93-98 percent protection from the illness leaving one to worry only about the seven to two percent chance of catching the disease.

What about side effects? There haven’t been any reports on serious cases of side effects. There have only been non-serious cases such as pain, soreness and infection in the site where the vaccine was given, headache, fever, diarrhea and vomiting.

How about its dangers to the next priority group which is the group of pregnant women? The vaccine is said to be safe. It contains ethyl mercury which is used during processing and only comes in minimal amounts.

The case of Influenza A(H1N1) in the Philippines though, is not fatal. So now the question, why do we need the vaccine? Well, prevention is always better than the cure. But is the vaccine mandatory? No. The vaccine is not mandatory. Taking it is absolutely voluntary and people have the freedom to refuse. People are however highly encouraged to get vaccinated.

But before getting vaccinated, inform first your doctor if you have any allergies with eggs or any kind of food. For more information, you may call the DOH Hotline at (02)7438301 local 2350-2352 or you may log in at www.doh.gov.ph.