By Keeva Stratton
With flu season fast approaching, many are predicting that not only will Swine Flu (H1N1) return to our shores, but it will likely dominate the upcoming flu season. The Government has urged parents to help prevent the spread of this particularly dangerous flu by immunising their children.
But, contrary to this advice, a recent survey of Australian parents conducted by Parenting Australia, reveals that 67% of parents do not intend to vaccinate their children.
Parenting Australia spokesperson Elena Pascoe said, ‘We found the survey results alarming and we urge parents to reconsider the vaccine.’
The Australian Government has warned that the H1N1 virus is likely to have a greater impact than the regular strains, and spread more rapidly, explaining: ‘It affects younger, healthier people. In 2009, there were 37,636 cases, including 191 associated deaths. The median age of those dying was 53 years, compared to 83 years for seasonal influenza.’
The Government’s priority is to protect through prevention, and school-aged children are a key target of their strategy. According to the Health Department, vaccinating children is needed because with ‘children’s close interactions with others at childcare and schools, swine flu can spread quickly, harming individuals and families.’
The decision whether or not to vaccinate is a debate frequently raised among parents. The study revealed that the fears were generally related to the unknown long-term effects of the vaccine, with one parent emphatically proclaiming, ‘we are not guinea pigs!’
However, the vaccine Panvax, which is now widely available, has met the approval of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (the body in charge of regulating medicinal safety standards), and is considered safe, leaving authorities with the large task to shift public perceptions. To do so, the Government is currently running an awareness campaign to enhance public understanding.
Thankfully, there are many parents who also understand the risk of not vaccinating, such as Jackie Smith, a Parenting Australia Online community member, who vaccinated both herself and her child. She said, ‘I could live with us both being a little sick from the immunisation (though neither of us reacted to it), but I couldn’t live with myself if my daughter got it [swine flu] and died from it.’
While it always recommended to consult your GP for your individual circumstances, medical opinion, such as that of Professor Robert Booy, the Head of Clinical Research at the National Centre for Immunisation Research, is in line with the Government’s pro vaccination stance. Having seen the outcomes of children affected by H1N1 through his work with sick children on the front line at the Children’s Hospital Westmead, Professor Booy said, ‘Vaccination is still the most effective preventative.’
Adults can also benefit from the vaccine, and now is considered the ideal time to get vaccinated. Vaccination in Australia is available and free to everyone who is 6 months and older.
Rescu. Road test:
Our editor is now 6 months pregnant and was concerned about both the regular flu and H1N1 virus which affected many pregnant women last year. After speaking to her obstetrician, she opted to go for a combined flu shot in her first trimester. She had absolutely no side effects and downtime and reports that she now has peace of mind and is less paranoid about going about her daily activities including being in crowds, catching public transport and being terrified of anyone with a cough.
For more information visit:
www.healthemergency.gov.au/internet/healthemergency/publishing.nsf