Pandemic A H1N1 (Swine) Flu vs Seasonal Flu Vaccination Comparison
During the early part of 2009 an outbreak of H1N1 influenza swept across Mexico and Central America with other countries following soon after – Canada, Australia. In Europe there was a big debate about the new influenza strain and whether "safe" vaccinations could be made available in time for the winter vaccination programme. Many commentators felt that the vaccinations were licensed for use without the usual trials and studies to demonstrate safety and efficacy which lead to negative comments in the media and ultimately lower than expected immunisation rates.
In the UK the vaccinations for Pandemic A H1N1 and seasonal influenza were given separately during 2009/10 campaign and the target groups for immunisation slightly different. Hence there was a unique opportunity to investigate and compare the reported side effects from patients who had received the Pandemic A H1N1 vaccine alone, the Seasonal influenza vaccine alone and people receiving both vaccinations.
Patients Direct set up our website to gather information from patients in November 2009 with structured questionnaires at baseline and 6 weekly follow up to 26 weeks – in order to capture any longer term issues such as Gullian-Barré syndrome.
Media advertising (newspaper, TV and radio) and campaigns in public places such as libraries, Children’s Nurseries and GP surgeries as well as approaching work places where H1N1 vaccination was being implemented were used to recruit people.
More than 1110 people enrolled into the survey, the majority having received the H1N1 vaccine. Results from the survey have been presented at the World Influenza Congress in Amsterdam, December 2010 and reported by the media – newspaper and television – BBC 1 Reporting Scotland and ExL Pharma Blog.
