Swine flu in India: Centre recommends vaccination for healthcare workers

In view of the spiralling swine flu cases across country seen this year, the Centre has recommended vaccination for the healthcare workers.

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: In view of the spiralling swine flu cases across country seen this year, the Centre has recommended vaccination for the healthcare workers for the three prevalent virus strains, including the H1N1.

However, the Health Ministry said there was no need to vaccinate the general public as of now although the morbidity and mortality associated with the swine influenza are matters of great concern.

Union Health Minister J P Nadda had earlier this week said that the decision was taken after “due consultations with experts”.

Doctors said vaccination is still only recommended for special groups of people such as children between the age of six months and five years, adults over 50-60 years, pregnant women, people with certain medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, cancers and healthcare workers who are involved in treating patients.

The vaccine available in trivalent and pentavalent costs between Rs 300 and Rs 500 and is manufactured by four or five companies.

The vaccine takes about three to four weeks to develop immunity and gives about 60-80 percent protection for about a year. Also, the vaccination might not offer 100 percent protection against the virus.

So far, the disease has killed 965 people while affecting more than 17,000 in various states across the country.

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