The biggest problem in my mind about the vaccine is that swine flu is now disappearing. We are past the worst of this influenza season as seen in the surveillance data. http://www.vidrl.org.au/surveillance/flu%20reports/flurpt09/html_files/flu0916.htm By the time any vaccine is deployed the wave of infections will be over, with probably only a few sporadic cases. This is the whole problem with vaccines. They need to be specific to the strain of influenza and with current technology by the time they are deployed the need for them is over, at least in the southern hemisphere. There may be some use for it in the northern hemisphere for the next influenza season.
Once it is realised what a waste of money this whole vaccine exercise was resources should be redeployed to antivirals. Unfortunately, vaccines are politically correct and much more trendy than antivirals. Remember that influenza antivirals also act as a vaccine because they allow asymptomatic infection and therefore immunity to develop.
BTA Price at posting:
$1.93 Sentiment: LT Buy Disclosure: Held
